DUI Penalties In Alaska
Reader’s Question:
I was almost arrested for DUI here in Anchorage, Alaska. I am wondering, what are the possible penalties in terms of DUI law violations?
Jerry
Anchorage, AK
Like almost all states in the US impose a harsher penalty especially on drunk driving or driving under the influence of either alcohol or substance. Here in Anchorage, Alaska, the government had been very keen in implementing DUI laws to prevent road accidents. If a person gets arrested for DUI, he will be subject to additional criminal law penalties such as jail time, fines and community service. The worst would be suspension and even revocation of his driver’s license. Suspension of driver’s license can go from a minimum of 90 days up to a maximum of 3 years based on the gravity of the offense as well as the frequency. There is also a great possibility that your vehicle may get confiscated or having an ignition interlock device. Vehicle ignition interlock is a breath-testing device which measures a vehicle operator’s BAC, prevents operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (BAC level of .02). DUI offenders are usually required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device.
These are at least the most common penalties that are being imposed on DUI offenders in Alaska. Just the same, in case you get involved in such DUI cases, I suggest that you seek the counsel of a knowledgeable lawyer that could defend you during proceedings. I also recommend checking for possible affordable auto insurance that caters pre or post DUI cases.
DUI Charge Caused Your Auto Insurance Rate To Increase?
Reader’s Question:
My dad has an auto insurance policy in affect, but after his DUI charge will it affect his annual premium?
Jane
Anchorage, AK
If your dad is currently enrolled in an auto insurance and had that policy in effect, then you don’t have to worry for now. Most insurance companies, especially in Alaska where driving and road regulations are stricter, may do random driving records check. If they find out that their member got arrested or convicted with a DUI, they would either not renew your dad’s contract upon policy expiration or increase premium rates and deductibles. There are several High Risk companies that may take you. These are what we call non-standard companies and usually offer triple increase on premium rates as well as deductibles.
If he is currently enrolled in a preferred insurance company, tell him to sit tight and try to avoid such DUI cases and don’t make any waves. He should keep his premium payments on time and do not let it be canceled. He can check other insurance companies that are not High risk that can offer him better rates for better coverage. But beware that there may be insurance companies that writes new policies that needs to order his driving record and find out about previous driving tickets and DUI cases if there’s any. This may create a huge impact on the cost of the policy. He can check through this web site for available post DUI insurance policies.
DUI Police Mistakes
Reader’s Question:
I often wonder how police officers in Alaska work, especially in a DUI arrest. Does police officer also make mistakes during a DUI stop?
Frida
Anchorage, AK
The straight answer would be yes, police officers also make mistakes during a DUI stop or investigation. They actually have this “Training Manual” of rules that they should follow when they conduct field sobriety tests. Some DUI lawyers study this manual so they would know exactly what questions to ask the police officers to see if he completely followed the manual’s directions. This could be powerful evidence in a DUI case that is frequently overlooked by defense lawyers.
If the manual’s directions were not completely followed by the arresting officer, the validity of the tests can be attacked. A successful challenge often results in the exclusion of the test evidence at trial; and this would significantly weaken the prosecutor’s DUI case. There have already been reports that police officers do things inconsistent with the manual’s material and these have been found in extremely large number of DUI cases. Police officers also don’t always use objective scoring as explained in the manual. More often than not, officers just simply subjectively decide whether or not a person failed the tests.
Need an Anchorage Alaska DUI Attorney?
Reader’s Question:
After being arrested for DUI in Anchorage, Alaska, the ultimate things that I am afraid of are going to jail and losing my license. How can a DUI attorney help me in saving my license and freedom?
Aydin
Anchorage, AK
It’s totally understandable that you are afraid of going to jail and losing your driver’s license after being arrested for DUI in Anchorage, Alaska. There is a good chance that a DUI attorney could help you with that. There are at least 20 possible defenses that can be made to the DUI charges you face. Your DUI attorney would raise applicable defenses for you so that your DUI case is as strong as possible.
The ultimate choice is to fight your DUI case because the ultimate goal of a DUI attorney is getting you off, keeping your record clean and preventing you from losing your freedom and your license to drive. At the very least, a DUI attorney would make sure that you will be treated fairly. Remember that the District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases, including DUI cases, all day. He knows all the fine legal points that can be used against you. But the DA also has to show that the police officer made the arrest properly, that you were properly advised of your rights, that the equipment he used to test you was working accurately and that the person operating that equipment was certified to operate it. A DUI attorney can get information which may prove you innocent.