People accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses in Arkansas are at risk of numerous penalties. The courts may incarcerate them or sentence them to probation. They may need to pay fines and court costs. It is also standard for the state to suspend a driver’s license in response to a DWI conviction. This suspension may leave the defendant unable to handle household matters for their family or perform key job functions.
Many people rebuilding after a DWI want to regain their driving privileges as quickly as possible. They may need legal guidance as they seek to recover their driver’s licenses.
How long does the suspension last?
The standard license suspension for a DWI offense can be long enough to cause financial and professional challenges. A first conviction can lead to a six-month suspension.
Offenses within five years of a prior conviction carry harsher penalties. A second DWI could lead to a 24-month suspension, while a third offense could carry a 30-month suspension. After a fourth conviction, drivers are at risk of a four-year license revocation.
How do drivers regain their licenses?
Regaining a driver’s license after a DWI suspension or revocation can be a lengthy process. The motorist must complete a treatment or education program regarding drugs and alcohol. They have to provide the original certificate affirming their completion of that course to Driver Control.
The motorist with a suspended license must attend a Victim Impact Panel class, and Driver Control also requires a completion certificate for that course. The state requires that motorists install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles for the same amount of time that the state suspended their license.
They must provide a certificate affirming they have fulfilled the interlock requirement to Driver Control. There is also a $150 reinstatement fee. For those with a revoked license, it is necessary to retake the Arkansas driver’s license exam to regain driving privileges.
People seeking to regain their licenses or to avoid the loss of their driving privileges when facing a DWI may need assistance as they navigate this complex process. Working with a criminal defense attorney familiar with DWI statutes can be helpful for those who want to regain their driving privileges or avoid DWI convictions in the first place.