Washington DC OWI Lawyer

Being charged with drunk driving is a serious matter, and potentially even a life-changing event.  While many people believe they know when they have had “too much to drink”, some of these same people are the very ones who are later handcuffed in the back of a police car.  Under the law, a person may be arrested and charged for impaired driving when they are not "drunk."  When you are facing charges of DC DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DC OWI (Operating While Impaired), you need an advocate on your side, working hard to ensure you get the best possible results in your case.

A DC OWI charge is much easier for a prosecutor to prove in court than a DWI charge. You may be surprised to know that an OWI conviction does not require the government to prove you were over a certain legal limit (as with DWI) or that you were appreciably impaired (as with a DUI). Instead, they only have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were operating a vehicle while impaired to any degree by alcohol. And how do they do that? The officer’s account of your behavior that night has a lot to do with it.

The prosecutor will attempt to build an OWI case against you utilizing evidence including your driving behavior, your alleged speech patterns, and your appearance. Also, if you admit to the officer that you’ve been drinking, this can be used against you. This is why a DC OWI lawyer recommends you keep your conversation to a minimum when you are pulled over. After providing the officer with your license and proof of insurance per their request, you can respectfully refuse to answer questions about where you’ve been or how much you’ve had to drink.

Because the law surrounding a DC OWI case is so broad, it is crucial you discuss the case with a local DC OWI lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Jason Kalafat can paint a realistic picture of the consequences you might be facing and any potential solutions.