GADSDEN DUI DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LAWYER

When lawyers, judges and even police officers talk about DUI in Alabama– one firm consistently comes up. Dani Bone & Sam Bone.  Since 1996 Dani has singlehandedly set the bar for DUI defense in Alabama.  Dani has represented white collar, blue collar and no collar workers all with one goal in mind – victory.  With a member of Dani V. Bone & Sam D. Bone, Attorneys at Law in your corner – no DUI case is indefensible, and no result is impossible.

 Sam and Dani recently received a certificate for attending the DUI & Accident Re-Investigation Defense Seminar.

Who should you hire to do your dui defense?

First, look for attorney's qualifications.  The National Trial Lawyers Associations selected Dani Bone as a Top 100 Lawyer in the Country for 2018.   The National Trial Lawyers Associations selected Sam Bone as a Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 for 2015.  
Next, look at our reviews online for our services and compare them to other attorneys in the area to decide whether we should be your lawyer. 

"Should I hire a lawyer if I'm charged with DUI in Alabama?"

Cut through the confusion. Contact Gadsden, AL drunk driving defense lawyers Dani & Sam Bone. We can answer your questions. We can help you navigate the legal system and the applicable laws governing drunk driving in Alabama. We will conduct an independent investigation, analyze your arrest report and all evidence the government intends to use. We research other Alabama drunk driving arrests to build a case designed to get you the result you need. Case results matter here.

"Everyone makes mistakes," attorney Dani Bone often says. "And everyone deserves a second chance."

What do you have to blow to get a DUI in Alabama?

In Alabama, driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are considered the same offense, and the terms are used interchangeably. The legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 percent. Commercial drivers are subject to a .04 percent limit. School bus and daycare drivers and drivers under the age of 21 can face charges for a BAC above .02 percent.

Can you go to jail for DUI in Alabama?

Penalties for DUI offenses include automatic license suspensions, fines, community service and jail time. Your first drunk driving conviction results in an automatic 90-day license suspension and up to one year in jail, a fine of $600 to $1,200, or both. Second offenses come with a one-year license suspension, a mandatory five days in jail with up to one year possible, a minimum of 30 days of community service and a possible fine of $1,100 to $5,100. Repeat DUI offenders can face felony charges resulting in thousands of dollars in fines and several years in prison.

How can an Alabama DUI attorney help me if I'm charged with drunk driving?

Time is of the essence if you have been arrested for DUI. You only have 10 days after your DUI arrest to request an administrative hearing. Otherwise, you could lose your driver's license. Keep in mind it's 10 calendar days, not business days! Don't wait until it's too late. Contact attorneys Dani & Sam Bone today. You have rights. We will fight for them! Located in Gadsden, AL and serving clients throughout Alabama, Dani V. Bone & Sam D. Bone, Attorneys at Law has the knowledge and experience you need to make a fresh start.

SHOULD YOU BLOW IF PULLED OVER ALABAMA DUI?

In the state of Alabama, this question is not so easily answered.  On the one hand, refusing to blow makes your attorney's job a bit easier when it comes to trial because the state (or city) will have no indisputable evidence that your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was above the legal limit at the time you were pulled over.  But, on the other hand, thanks to Alabama Code Section 32-5-192, refusing to blow will get you

1. an automatic 90 day suspension of your license;

2. can make it more difficult for your attorney to negotiate with the prosecutor before trial; and,

3. can get you double the minimum days of suspension and an interlock device (device installed on a car's dashboard that tests the driver's BAC level and can prevent the engine from being started if the BAC level is above the limit set on the device) if convicted of a DUI after a refusal to blow.

4.  If you refuse to blow, the officer will confiscate your license and give you a form stating the reason for suspension and how to proceed from there.  

5.  You will also spend 24 hours in a holding cell. You have 10 days from the date of arrest, if you refuse to blow, to request a “pre-suspension” hearing with the Department of Public Safety. Your attorney can file for a stay of suspension pending the prosecution of the DUI.

You need to take your DUI offense seriously right from the start. Don't take chances with your future or your ability to drive. Contact us right now. We treat every client with respect and work hard every day to deliver favorable results. Contact the DUI litigators Dani V. Bone & Sam D. Bone at to discuss your case at (256) 547-1005.

What are the penalties for a first DUI offense in Alabama? A first DUI conviction in Alabama carries an automatic 90-day license suspension, a fine of $600 to $1,200, and up to one year in jail, though jail time is often suspended for first-time offenders without aggravating factors. Alabama also requires completion of a DUI/CRO court referral program before your license can be reinstated.

Will I lose my license if I'm charged with DUI in Alabama? A DUI charge alone can trigger an administrative license suspension separate from the criminal case, especially if you refuse or fail a chemical test. You may be eligible to request a hearing to contest the suspension or apply for a restricted/hardship license depending on the circumstances — but there are strict deadlines to act, often within days of the arrest.

Can I refuse a breathalyzer in Alabama? You can refuse, but Alabama's implied consent law means refusal triggers an automatic license suspension independent of whether you're convicted of DUI, and that suspension is typically longer than what follows a first-offense conviction. Refusal can also be used against you in court as evidence of consciousness of guilt.

What's the legal blood alcohol limit in Alabama? Alabama's legal limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, 0.02% for drivers under 21, and 0.04% for commercial drivers. You can still be charged with DUI below these limits if the officer establishes impairment through other evidence, such as field sobriety tests or driving behavior.

Do I need a lawyer for a first-time DUI? Yes. Even a first DUI carries a license suspension, a permanent criminal record, and increased insurance costs, and the penalties escalate sharply for any later offense. An attorney can challenge the traffic stop, the administration of field sobriety or chemical tests, and negotiate alternatives to a conviction where the facts support it.

Can a DUI be reduced or dismissed in Alabama? It depends on the strength of the stop, the testing procedures used, and your record, but DUI charges in Alabama are sometimes reduced to reckless driving or dismissed outright when there are problems with how the stop or testing was conducted. Alabama law also limits plea bargaining on DUI more than most other misdemeanors, so early attorney involvement matters.

What happens if I get a second or third DUI in Alabama? A second DUI within 10 years carries a one-year license suspension, a mandatory minimum of five days in jail (up to one year), at least 30 days of community service, and a fine of $1,100 to $5,100. A third or subsequent offense can be charged as a felony, with mandatory prison time and fines that can reach into the thousands of dollars.

Will a DUI conviction show up on background checks in Alabama? Yes. A DUI conviction is a criminal conviction and will appear on background checks, and Alabama does not currently allow DUI convictions to be expunged. That makes fighting the charge before conviction — rather than hoping to clean up the record later — the more realistic strategy.