DWI Penalties in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
My brother needs to be prepared of what’s going to happen after being arrested for DWI in Alaska. What are the penalties that he could have if he gets convicted and how does the hearing with the DMV work?
April
Anchorage, AK
After your brother’s DWI arrest in Alaska, it would potentially spark two separate cases. The first one is the DWI criminal offense which is the case that would determine how much he would pay for the crime, including possible jail time. He would also face an administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if he refused to take the blood alcohol test or if the test showed that he was intoxicated. This hearing would decide if he can continue to drive in the state of Alaska. He definitely has the right to plead his case at this hearing, but he should request the hearing within seven days of his arrest or he would automatically lose his license. The hearing would also give him a chance to set forth evidence that might lessen his license suspension time.
Since this is your brother’s first DWI offense, if he will be convicted, he can expect to have punishments which include fines of $250 to $5,000, alcohol education and treatment that cost $20 to $150, community service of 24 hours and 72 hours to one year of jail time.
DWI Blood Alcohol Tests in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
I heard that here in Alaska, blood alcohol test is the most common method used for measuring blood alcohol content. What problems or risks could someone have from having a blood sample taken for blood alcohol testing?
Mark
Anchorage, AK
In Alaska, blood alcohol testing may be the most commonly used method for measuring the blood alcohol content for someone who is suspected for DWI. In the state of Alaska, the legal definition of intoxication would be reaching the point when the blood alcohol content is at or exceeds 0.08%.
There could be a very little chance of a problem from having blood sample taken from a vein. One is that a person may get a small bruise at the site. It could have a lower chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In very rare cases, the vein could become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This kind of problem is called phlebitis wherein symptoms include pain or burning along the length of the vein, redness or swelling. To treat this, a warm compress could be used several times a day. Ongoing bleeding could also be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin and other blood-thinning medicines could make bleeding more likely. If someone has bleeding or clotting problems or takes blood-thinning medicine, he/she should tell the doctor before blood sample is taken.
I Need To Find an Anchorage Alaska DUI Lawyer
Reader’s Question:
I wanna help my father get out of his DUI charge in Alaska. He has a good driving record over the years and it’s hard to believe that he was caught drunk driving. How will a DUI lawyer help him in his situation?
Francine
Anchorage, AK
There are a lot of things that a DUI lawyer can do for your father to help him on his DUI charge. The DUI lawyer can help him out on his Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing to fight for his driver’s license. He must request this hearing within seven days of arrest and the DUI lawyer could be able to guide him on this.
Chemical tests or blood alcohol tests are not always right and the DUI lawyer knows several ways to find out the inaccuracy of the blood alcohol tests. And in doing so, the DUI lawyer could be able to successfully challenge the blood alcohol test results. Experienced DUI lawyers can actually get the maintenance records for the equipment used in the testing. They can also find out the results for the other persons who were tested around the time your father was tested. He has to be prepared, too because no defense is ready unless he is taught how to present himself on the witness stand.