☰ Menu

DUI & DWI

DUI and DWI in Tulsa, Oklahoma

A common criminal charge in Tulsa, Oklahoma is DUI  and DWI. Either of these charges can result in serious fines, jail time, the suspension of a license, classes at your financial expense, a court ordered monitoring system referred to as SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring), and more. This article will explain the difference between a DUI and DWI as well as the legal consequences and expenses as a result of these charges. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), drunk driving, or driving while impaired (DWI) and need legal help from the best DUI and DWI attorneys in Tulsa, Oklahoma you’ve come to the right place. Research and hire the experienced DUI and DWI lawyer you need with the Tulsa Attorney Directory.
Find your DUI and DWI Attorney

Benefits of Calling a Lawyer as Soon as Possible

Since 2001, Tulsa has operated the largest Drug Court in the state, which includes DUI/DWI. This has resulted in saving public funds that would have been spent on the prison system. Obtaining a lawyer following a DUI/DWI charge can result in an alternative to incarceration. Court-supervised treatment is only an option in specific non-violent cases. Obtaining court-supervised treatment instead of incarceration has resulted in more than 1,000 defendants avoiding Oklahoma’s prison system. Tulsa’s Attorney Directory allows you to research the DUI & DWI lawyer you need to maintain your freedom during this turbulent time.

DUI vs DWI

Driving under the influence is referred to as a DUI while driving while impaired pertains to a DWI. According to Oklahoma state laws, anyone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than 0.08% is legally intoxicated. Your BAC amount will decide what charge you receive. When you’re operating a vehicle with a BAC over 0.08% it is considered a DUI, while having a content below 0.08% is considered a DWI. If convicted of your first DUI in Tulsa, you face fines of up to $1,000. The judge can also order you to pay court costs and various other fees including classes and SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring). An adult convicted of a first offense DUI in Oklahoma must pay double the fine if there was a minor in the vehicle. If convicted of a DWI in Tulsa, you could face a fine between $100-$500 and/or up-to six months in jail. Your driving privileges could also be suspended for thirty days for the first offense.

Open Container

To avoid an open container charge in Tulsa simply keep any open alcohol in the trunk and inaccessible while driving. If caught with an open drink in a moving vehicle, it’s time to call a lawyer. The criminal charges that come with an open container are no laughing matter. Even if you were not drinking while driving; having an open container in a moving vehicle is a criminal offense in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Being found guilty of this crime can result in up to six months in county jail and/or up-to five hundred dollars ($500) in fines. Use the Tulsa Attorney Directory to hire the best DUI & DWI lawyer to defend your case in court.

Passenger Rights

Were you arrested for being a drunk passenger in Tulsa?  Contact a lawyer. One might assume that simply riding in a vehicle drunk is not illegal, however, that is incorrect. The state of Oklahoma has very strict public intoxication laws. Being drunk in a car as a passenger still qualifies as being drunk in public. This charge can result in a misdemeanor charge, jail time, and/or fines up to one hundred ($100) dollars. Many people in Tulsa are charged with public intoxication, but with the right legal representation, it’s not uncommon for charges to be dropped.

Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Medications

In the state of Oklahoma driving under the influence of medication is illegal. Having a prescription for your medication is not a defense for driving while medicated. If you were arrested in Tulsa while driving under the influence of medication you’re facing a DUI charge. Statute 47, Section 11-902 specifically prohibits driving while “under the influence of any intoxicating substance other than alcohol which may render such person incapable of safely driving or operating a motor vehicle”. Other statutes explain exactly which substances qualify as intoxicating: controlled dangerous substances (defined in 63 O.S. § 2-101 et seq.), or any other substance that is capable of being ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed into the human body and is capable of adversely affecting the central nervous system, vision, hearing or other sensory or motor functions (besides alcohol). Note that these statutes do not distinguish between prescription and non-prescription drugs.

The standard procedure allows any driver suspected of being under the influence of drugs to be administered a blood chemical test. This test is more reliable than breathalyzers as they are the only accurate option of determining what chemical is in your system. The validity of these tests, however, are surrounded by restrictions and guidelines.

If you are facing criminal charges for DUI & DWI in Tulsa Oklahoma, act fast. There are many factors to take into account when preparing to hire an attorney. How many years have they been practicing in Tulsa? It’s safe to assume the longer a lawyer has practiced in a field the more experience they have. How many DUI defense cases have they presided over? Choosing a lawyer who has vast experience defending clients against the criminal justice system is likely to produce better representation. Of the cases, a lawyer has represented, how many were dropped? Prosecutors often attempt to avoid long drawn out trials when possible. Is the attorney a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and eligible to practice in the state? Does the firm charge a flat fee or hourly rate? If the firm charges a flat rate the lawyer earns no more money if your case takes substantially longer to negotiate. However, if you pay an hourly rate, expect to pay a retainer upfront for services. Endeavor to be honest about your budget and establish your expectations from the start.  

Find the Best DUI and DWI Lawyers in Tulsa

After retaining a lawyer you find appropriate to handle your DUI/DWI case, it’s imperative, to be honest with them.  A lawyer can work better when they have the full facts of the case, even if they are incriminating. Under United States law, conversations you have between your legal representative and yourself are protected by the attorney-client privilege. This means the law prevents any person from disclosing confidential communications between you, the client, and your attorney. Use the Tulsa Attorney Directory to hire the DUI & DWI lawyer needed to guide you through this process.

Lawyer Directory ofTulsa