DWI and Criminal Defense by R WebbThere are two elements involved in the following case that would dictate that those charged would need a criminal defense attorney and an attorney equally familiar with the DUI laws in his or her state.Both of the men driving the vehicle in question that struck the small boy, breaking his pelvis, were drunk. It didn’t get any more straightforward than that, or so it may seem on the surface. While there was evidence of hit and run, failure to stop after personal injury, possession of an open container, DWI and reckless driving, there was a question of who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. There was also a question of whether or not the police collected any evidence that positively showed both individuals, and in particular the driver, were under the influence. No blood alcohol content tests were on the police file of the incident.In circumstances like this if you are about to be charged, are charged and/or are arrested for any of the above offenses or similar ones, make your first phone call to an experienced DWI attorney. If you are in the state of Georgia, calling an attorney first is critical. Do not speak to anyone other than your attorney or anything you do say will come back to haunt you.If you do happen to be arrested for DWI in Georgia, you may face stiff penalties. Knowing what these penalties are is crucial to you understanding how your case may proceed through the courts. Your experienced DWI attorney and criminal defense specialist will outline all the things you need to know to make an informed decision about your defense.If you happen to be a first offender, meaning a person who has not had a DWI arrest in the past five years in the state, you may lose your license for a year. If there is a question about your arrest, such as no evidence of your blood alcohol content or a question as to whether or not you were the driver at the time of the incident, you may have your case thrown out of court. In the alternative, you may have any fines reduced or mitigated with the assistance of your attorney.Should you ultimately lose your license for one year, you will be allowed to apply for a work permit that will let you drive to school, work or doctor’s appointments. This permit is for 30 days. If you so choose, you may also have the option of taking a risk reduction course and shell out $200. If you choose that route, your regular license could be reinstated in about 30 days.First time offenders don’t get off easily in the state of Georgia and often face fines ranging between $300 and $1,000 plus fees and court costs. Again, the fine and the outcome may be dependent on the facts of the case. This is why you should only speak to your attorney if you are arrested and only tell him or her the complete details of the incident. This will allow them to formulate a workable defense for you.There are other things that typically come into play with a license suspension, and your DWI attorney will let you know what they are; for instance one day jail time to 12 months in the clink and possibly community service for whatever hours the court deems necessary.Robert Webb is an Atlanta personal injury lawyer with Webb & D’Orazio, a law firm specializing in Atlanta personal injury, malpractice, criminal defense, and business law. Learn more at http://www.webbdorazio.com.Article Source: eArticlesOnline.com