LICENCE SUSPENSION

The mandatory suspension that comes with most DUI/DWI charges is the most pressing reason to act quickly and consider hiring an attorney.  If nothing is done, most states will automatically suspend your licence from anywhere from several months to up to five years or more. 

Typically, you must request a hearing almost immediately following the stop.  Otherwise, any right to a review of the automatic suspension is waived.  Different states have different time limits to file a request for a hearing. So you should contact a local attorney IMMEDIATELY to prevent the loss of your licence.  Louisiana allows only fifteen (15) days from the time of the stop to request an administrative hearing, or all chances to save your driver’s licence are lost.

Contrary to what some people believe, the loss of your licence does not count as “double jeopardy.”  A licence suspension does not  prevent the prosecution for the DUI/DWI.  The licence revocation is treated only as an administrative or civil penalty.  Unless you act fast, it is possible to lose both your licence and your liberty.

It is also important to contact an attorney to contest the suspension because this is an important step in defending against the DUI/DWI.  Your lawyer can make the cop show up for the hearing and pin down his story in regard to the charge.  Without this hearing, the only chance you will have to get the cop under oath is at the trial itself.  Wouldn’t you rather know the story he will tell before he tells it to the Judge?

Even if you lose at the hearing or don’t request it, an attorney can still help you get your licence back faster than if you go it alone.  Many states have hardship laws and other regulations that let you get back to driving earlier than you might think.