It only takes one time driving after you’ve had a few drinks or even after you’ve taken some pain medication to get arrested for a DWI. Consequences for such an offense are harsh and long-lasting, even if you’re a first-time offender. If your license has been suspended as a result of a DWI, you need a DWI defense attorney to help fight your case and our team at Monks Law Firm can help. Read below to learn more about the process of getting your license reinstated.

Hire a DWI defense attorney

The first thing you need to do to get your driver’s license reinstated is hiring a DWI defense attorney. Your attorney will help to walk you through the process, including filing paperwork and going to court if necessary. Having an attorney by your side will ensure that you don’t inadvertently incriminate yourself during legal proceedings, as well as see to it that you’re treated fairly. An attorney will represent you in every hearing you attend for your case as well as assist with your suspension appeal. Furthermore, you can be certain that every detail of your case and the reinstatement process is attended to properly with an experienced attorney.

Understand your case

Before you can do anything to get your driver’s license back, it’s imperative that you understand why it was suspended in the first place. Most suspensions last up to 18 months, depending on whether this was your first or second offense. Suspensions can be longer if:

• Your blood alcohol level was more than 0.08%.
• There was a child 14 years old or younger with you in the car.
• There was an open alcohol container in the car.
• Your DWI caused an accident, injury, or fatality.

If you feel that your license has been wrongly revoked, your lawyer can help you contest the suspension to have it reduced or reinstated entirely.

Pay reinstatement fees

Reinstatement fees will vary by case, as your situation is unique to anyone else. Your fees will include any fine associated with your charges and other compliance items. Paying for compliance items can include having an ignition interlock system installed or going through a rehabilitation program.

Complete compliance items

After you’ve been arrested for a DWI, there are specific items the court will order you to complete before you can apply to have your license reinstated. As previously mentioned, some of these items can include having an ignition interlock installed in your vehicle, completing an alcohol rehabilitation program, routine drug and alcohol testing, or other supervisory measures the judge sees fit to impose.

Apply for a occupaitonal license

While you can’t have your driver’s license back in its entirety when it’s suspended, you can still apply for a occupational license. Your provisional license is what you’ll carry with you to get to work, school, or perform essential household duties. It’s not to be used to drive to an event on the weekends or any other non-essential activity. The concept of the occupaitonal license is designed to allow citizens the ability to continue to perform their responsibilities within the home and society.

Contact us to get started

If you’ve been arrested for a DWI, get in touch with us at Monks Law Firm. We’re experienced DWI defense attorneys and will fight your case for you. Our staff can help you through the process to appeal your suspension, apply for a provisional license, and get your license fully reinstated as soon as you’re eligible. Give us a call today at 713-666-6657 or send a message using our online contact form. If you prefer, send an email directly to info@monkslaw.com. Please don’t send any sensitive information via email or the contact form. We’ll get to that when we speak.