The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported that the state had 5,425 DUI offenses in 2020, down from 6,426 DUI offenses in 2019.
Despite the decrease, Nebraska still enforces its DUI laws and imposes penalties on those convicted of violating them. A DUI conviction can have severe negative consequences in many areas of your life.
You may have made a mistake, but you don’t deserve to have your life ruined.
If you want to know how to beat a DUI charge in Nebraska, an attorney at Petersen Criminal Defense Law can help.
Tom Petersen will review the details of your case and formulate a strategy to beat your DUI charge. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer gives you the best chance of dealing with your DUI case in a way that you can live with.
Reach out to our office today to schedule your free initial consultation.
How Does Nebraska Define DUI?
Nebraska prohibits anyone from operating or being in “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of the two. For a typical driver, the blood alcohol limit is .08%.
The penalties for a Nebraska DUI charge vary based on your prior drinking and driving-related convictions. First-time offenders receive lower penalties, while individuals with multiple DUI convictions will receive stiffer penalties.
Penalties for a Nebraska DUI
A first-time DUI conviction carries the potential of a jail sentence between 7 and 60 days, a $500 fine, and suspension of your driver’s license for up to 6 months.
Obviously, this can really cause havoc in your life. And if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .15% or higher, the license revocation period increases to one year.
A second DUI conviction carries the potential of up to 180 days in jail, a $500 fine, and suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year.
If your BAC was .15% or higher on the second conviction, the license revocation period increases to fifteen years, and the potential jail sentence increases to one year.
A third DUI conviction carries the potential of up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and revocation of your driver’s license for up to fifteen years.
In addition to criminal penalties, a DUI conviction can carry other consequences, such as:
- Increased insurance rates,
- Mandatory participation in driving or substance abuse treatment courses,
- Installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device,
- License revocation fees,
- Cost of bail, and
- Vehicle storage expenses.
These financial and personal ramifications can prevent you from getting your life back on track after a DUI conviction. The expenses associated with the DUI conviction often end up costing more than the DUI fine itself.
The best way to avoid a conviction altogether is by consulting with an experienced DUI defense attorney about your case.
Potential Defenses to Nebraska DUI Charges
There are a number of valid legal defenses that could apply to your case and help you negotiate a favorable plea agreement or the dismissal of your charges.
Examples of defenses to Nebraska DUI charges include:
- Law enforcement lacked a valid reason to pull you over,
- Lack of implied consent advisement,
- Testing equipment malfunctions,
- Improper maintenance of a breathalyzer machine,
- Improperly administered breath or blood tests; or
- Proof that you were not operating or in “actual physical control” of the vehicle.
A DUI lawyer at Petersen Criminal Defense Law will help you determine whether any legal defenses apply to your case.
How Can a Lawyer at Petersen Criminal Defense Law Help Me Beat a DUI Charge?
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer to represent you may seem daunting. But doing so is one of the best ways to protect your rights and reduce or even avoid severe penalties.
For example, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you:
- Compile facts and evidence to help support your defense,
- Determine the best methods available in your case to challenge your DUI charges,
- Negotiate plea deals, and
- Prepare for and take your case to trial when necessary.
In short, having a criminal defense attorney on your side can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your case.
At Petersen Criminal Defense Law, we have been fighting fiercely for the rights of our clients facing DUI charges since 1995. Attorney Tom Petersen has the knowledge, resources, and experience necessary to defend your case.
Are you looking for a knowledgeable attorney who will handle your case with care and do what it takes to get you the legal outcome you need and deserve?
Contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law today. We care about you and want to help you get your life back on track.
Attorney Petersen was invited to join the National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) organization in 2013. NAFDD vets thousands of lawyers and only chooses those who have achieved stellar results in DUI defense cases. Attorney Petersen was named one of the Top 50 defense attorneys in Nebraska out of more than 5,000.
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