Rhode Island Out-of-State DUI Lawyer

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Out-of-State Attorney in Rhode Island

Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) while in Rhode Island can be daunting. DUI charges throw you into an unfamiliar legal system and can lead to harsh penalties. Working with a Rhode Island out-of-state DUI lawyer can help you navigate out-of-state DUI laws and minimize penalties.

Ellison Law LLC is founded on principles of honest and compassionate representation. We can explain Rhode Island DUI laws and penalties, so you understand your options after being charged with a DUI. In many cases, hiring an out-of-state DUI lawyer can successfully negotiate with the prosecution to dismiss or reduce DUI charges.

Out-of-State DUI Charges

Rhode Island welcomes almost 30 million visitors each year. Tourists, students, commuters, and other out-of-state drivers who are arrested for driving while intoxicated are prosecuted under Rhode Island law, but the impact can reach their home state as well. Rhode Island treats out-of-state and in-state drivers the same when it comes to arrests and potential penalties.

Out-of-state DUI cases create logistical challenges, as they require you to respond to court notices, meet deadlines, and comply with Rhode Island legal processes. Failure to appear or resolve the charge can lead to additional charges, fines, and penalties. A lawyer can ensure you meet deadlines and explore potential remote options.

Out-of-State DUI Penalties

In Rhode Island, 43% of traffic fatalities are alcohol related, one of the highest percentages in the United States. Due to this, Rhode Island imposes strict DUI penalties. Penalties can be increased depending on the presence of extenuating factors that increase the seriousness of a DUI, such as excessive BAC, reckless driving, or causing injury or death.

Many of these factors can lead to additional charges. For example, drinking and driving with a child under 13 in the car could lead to child endangerment charges in Rhode Island. Without such factors, the penalties for a first DUI offense could include:

  • Immediate license suspension in Rhode Island from 30 to 180 days
  • Between $100 and $300 in fines
  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • 10-60 hours of community service
  • $500 highway safety assessment
  • $86 fee
  • Re-education course on driving while intoxicated and/or alcohol or drug treatment
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)

In addition to the Rhode Island penalties, your home state may also enforce penalties, which vary depending on the state. Additional DUI penalties could include license suspension, installation of an ignition interlock system, or educational programs.

Having your license suspended in Rhode Island does not automatically suspend your license in your home state. Notice of your suspension is placed into the National Driver Register (NDR) and can be viewed by other states. Depending on what state you are from, your home state may also choose to suspend your license in addition to the Rhode Island Penalties.

Why Hire an Out-of-State DUI Lawyer?

An experienced Rhode Island out-of-state DUI attorney understands how Rhode Island and your home state’s laws, courts, and administrative processes apply to your case. A Rhode Island DUI lawyer is a source of guidance throughout this process and can make a critical difference in the outcome of your DUI case.

DUI charges can have serious consequences on your freedom, restrict your ability to drive, cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and leave you with a lasting criminal record. A lawyer can answer your questions about how a DUI can impact you in Rhode Island and your home state. When finding avenues to reduce interstate consequences, a lawyer’s understanding of out-of-state DUI laws is essential.

Lawyers can examine evidence to build a solid DUI defense. To limit penalties, a Rhode Island Out-of-State DUI attorney can identify grounds for reduced or dismissed charges, evaluating your case for unlawful traffic stops, misadministered tests, or faulty evidence.

FAQs About Out-of-State DUI in Rhode Island

Can You Go Out of State if You Have a DUI?

Yes, you can travel out of state if you have been convicted of a DUI. However, this may vary depending on what penalties you received for your DUI conviction. Your license may be suspended pending prosecution, and could be suspended for up to two years in most cases, in which case you should not drive out of state. Additionally, going out of state may be a probation violation if you are on probation after sentencing.

Do You Have to Submit to Chemical Testing in Rhode Island?

Yes, even as an out-of-state driver in Rhode Island, you are required by the Implied Consent Law to submit to chemical testing. This includes breath, blood, saliva, and/or urine testing that can be used to determine the levels of various chemicals in your system during a DUI. While only about 30% of people who are charged with a DUI submit, refusing can lead to additional criminal charges and greater penalties.

Will You Be Sentenced in Rhode Island or Your Home State for an Out-of-State DUI?

If you were charged with a DUI in Rhode Island, you would be sentenced in a Rhode Island court. There may be consequences in your home state, which could include a suspended license, fines, and drug and alcohol re-education and treatment. A DUI is visible on your criminal record in any state, potentially impacting your professional life, housing, or education.

Does Rhode Island Count an Out-of-State DUI as a Prior Offense?

Yes, if you have a DUI conviction from less than five years ago from another state, your past conviction can be used to determine Rhode Island DUI Penalties. Prior convictions, regardless of what state they occurred in, lead to harsher sentences and could cause your DUI charge to be classified as a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Learn How Ellison Law LLC Can Help

As an out-of-state driver, being charged with a DUI in Rhode Island can leave you fearful about both Rhode Island DUI penalties and the penalties in your home state. At Ellison Law LLC, we have helped hundreds of individuals reduce or dismiss DUI charges to minimize the impact of a DUI charge on their freedom. Contact us today to learn how a DUI attorney can guide you through your out-of-state DUI case.

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