OWI Attorney - Waterloo, Iowa

If you received a OWI in Waterloo, Iowa, it is very important you seek the legal advice of an accomplished and knowledgeable OWI attorney immediately. Being charged with OWI is a serious offense that can have serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is imperative that anyone facing a OWI (DWI) charge understand what challenges they will face. Call a Iowa OWI defense lawyer today for a fast, free consultation.

What happens if I was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Waterloo?

Under Iowa law, once you have been cited for violating the OWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your license by the Iowa DOT. While both actions can result in the suspension of your Iowa driving privileges, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

Iowa OWI - DWI Administrative Hearing

If you do not request an administrative hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your Iowa driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Iowa DOT within 10 days. Contact a capable and skilled OWI defense lawyer in Iowa to help.

Remember, pursuant to Iowa law, an individual only has 10 days to request an administrative hearing from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

OWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Monetary Fines - In Waterloo, Iowa, fines for a first time OWI are $700.00 up to $1250.00, however, the court may order that the offender perform community service in lieu of paying the fine.
• Time in Jail - In Waterloo, Iowa, a first time OWI - DWI offender faces a 48 hour minimum mandatory imprisonment, with a maximum of 1 year in jail. However, in some instances, the jail sentence may be deferred or suspended by the court.
• Iowa Driving Privileges and OWI - In Waterloo, Iowa, an OWI conviction results in the revocation of the offender's driver's license for 180 days. If the offender's blood alcohol content (BAC) is lower than 0.15, and has no other OWI-related revocations within 12 years, he or she is eligible to apply for a temporary restricted license.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the OWI statute with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04. A first time DWI / OWI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent OWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by Waterloo, Iowa law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license in Iowa for 1 year.
• Substance Asuse Evaluations and Treatment - An OWI offender must complete and pay for a substance abuse evaluation. The offender agrees to follow the recommendations of the evaluation, per the court's orders.

OWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional OWI violations. Due to the complexity of OWI laws in Waterloo, Iowa, you may not be aware of rights and options, including any defenses you might use. This is why an accomplished and professional defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. It is important you contact a Iowa DWI / OWI attorney for a free consultation right away.

Iowa Implied Consent

Iowa's implied consent law means that any person who operates a motor vehicle in the state agrees to have a blood, breath and/or urine test performed to determine alcohol level or presence of drugs, whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is operating under the influence or is otherwise impaired.

Other Iowa OWI Costs

Beyond any fines and court costs you will have to pay in Waterloo, Iowa, there are numerous other charges that can add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs for OWI might include:

• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere in Waterloo, Iowa, which is an additional cost.
• Towing - Having your vehicle towed can be quite expensive.
• Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.
• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.

There are many "hidden costs" when it comes to getting a OWI in Waterloo, Iowa. This is why you should contact an accomplished and professional OWI defense attorney for a free consultation.

Driving While Revoked for OWI in Iowa

A person who drives while their driver's license is revoked under the Iowa OWI law commits a misdemeanor and must pay a fine of $1,000. Law enforcement officers may impound vehicles, if the driver's license of the person is revoked for an OWI. If a driver is convicted of a second or subsequent DWI / OWI offense amd driving with a revoked license, the vehicle that is being operated must be seized and forfeited to the state. The owner of a vehicle who lends the vehicle to a person whose license is revoked for an OWI commits a misdemeanor. Please contact a local Waterloo, Iowa OWI attorney for help with your case.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.