Passionate Drunk Driving Defense From Experienced Missoula DUI Lawyers
Have you been charged with a DUI? Refused a breath or blood test? Has your driver’s license been suspended?
A DUI charge can have a devastating impact on all areas of your life. A DUI lawyer can help reduce or eliminate your penalties.
Our highly-trained DUI attorneys at Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C., in Missoula are the legal team you need to help you through these life-changing criminal charges.
Risk-Free: We Offer Free Initial Consultations
If you have been charged with driving under the influence, contact our practice for your legal counsel. We offer free consultations for all our first-time clients to ensure we provide passionate representation. We represent our clients from start to finish with professionalism, zealousness and above all else, keep your goals and best interests in mind.
Table Of Contents
- How Our Attorneys Can Help When We Fight For You
- Understanding The Complexity Of Montana DUI Laws
- Understanding DUI Charges In Montana
- Don’t Settle For A Public Defender; Trust Our Law Firm
- Our Strategy For A Solid DUI Defense
- What You Should Do If You Are Arrested For A DUI?
How Our Attorneys Can Help When We Fight For You
Our attorneys do more than plead you not guilty. Our DUI lawyers spend hours in training and education to keep up-to-date on DUI law and to best represent all our clients.
We Prepare Your Case
We will gather all the necessary evidence needed to build your DUI defense. While we will prepare your case for trial, many of our DUI cases are won through pretrial litigation, such as motions to suppress and dismiss.
A Solid Reputation
Our attorneys are leading forces in DUI defense in Montana, garnering the respect of clients, colleagues, prosecutors and judges. Even those clients who do not take their DUI cases to trial can benefit from our winning reputation.
Education And Training
Each of our DUI attorneys spends a considerable amount of time, energy and money on education, keeping abreast of developments in DUI law, which allows us to build a more solid DUI defense for our clients.
Understanding The Complexity Of Montana DUI Laws
In Montana, the basis for a DUI conviction is to show evidence you are unable to operate a vehicle safely due to being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drugs can include prescription, marijuana, illicit, and a combination of drugs and alcohol.
What Is The Legal Limit For BAC In Montana?
In Montana, even if you show no signs of impairment, it is unlawful for you to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content higher than 0.08. Your BAC cannot be higher than 0.04 if you are operating a commercial vehicle, and it cannot be higher than 0.02 if you are under 21.
When Can You Be Charged With An Aggravated DUI?
Repeat offenders can be charged with an aggravated DUI, which typically involves harsher penalties. You can also be charged with aggravated DUI if you have a BAC greater than 0.16 if you are driving on a suspended or revoked license, if you have previously refused to provide BAC evidence, or if you have a pending charge.
Another Important Fact About Montana State DUI Law
Even if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of 0.08, you can still be charged with a DUI if there is sufficient evidence that you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while operating a vehicle.
Understanding DUI Charges In Montana
This chart only addresses DUI penalties that come from Montana law. It does not reflect other penalties like increased insurance rates, decreased employment opportunities, or penalties as a result of excessive BAC or Marijuana. It is also important to note that a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for life.
| Penalty | 1st Conviction | 2nd Conviction | 3rd Conviction |
| Jail Time | 24 hours-6 months | 7 days-1 year | 30 days-1 year |
| Fine | $600-$1,000 | $1,200-$2,000 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Drivers License | 6-month suspension | 1-year suspension | 1-year suspension |
**Based on the Montana Department of Transportation
Don’t Settle For A Public Defender; Trust Our Law Firm
You get what you pay for when it comes to legal defense. You’ll probably be left at the mercy of a public defender’s overbooked schedule if you choose not to hire your own counsel. Paying for DUI attorneys is well worth the price if you want to avoid suffering penalties you don’t deserve.
An Advocate For You
A court-appointed lawyer doesn’t have time to get to know you personally and give your case a close examination. Our lawyers treat you like a person and not just a case. Getting a DUI charge is not an automatic conviction. We’ll make sure the truth comes to light so you don’t suffer a miscarriage of justice.
Court-Tested
Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C., has over 60 combined years in the practice of law. Rather than getting one potentially overworked public defender, our clients get a legal team that knows Montana’s DUI laws well. We have more resources to build stronger defenses than court-appointed attorneys.
Favorable Outcomes
A public attorney will likely be more inclined to make a plea agreement than go to court. Our Missoula DUI attorneys won’t make a bargain with the prosecutors to simply move your case along. We’ll collect as much evidence as necessary to present a compelling defense and get you the most favorable outcome.
Our Strategy For A Solid DUI Defense
Our DUI lawyers have the training and education to fully evaluate each DUI case and find any weaknesses in the State’s evidence. Our Missoula, Montana, lawyers can dig deeper into your DUI case by testing the validity of these DUI tests.
Law Enforcement Error
There are strict procedures that must be followed when you are stopped for a DUI. Each of our attorneys understands these rules, so we will thoroughly review the police report, video coverage of your traffic stop, your field sobriety test, and your DUI arrest to ensure each procedure was lawfully followed.
Faulty Equipment Review
If you agree to a breathalyzer test, we will investigate to determine whether it was administered correctly and to confirm the equipment was working properly. Several of our DUI lawyers have been certified on numerous breath-testing devices and receive the same training as police officers on breath testing.
Field Sobriety Test Examination
These tests may involve you being asked to balance standing on one leg, walk a straight line and turn, or have you follow the officer’s finger with your eye (Horizontal Nystagmus Test). Each of our DUI attorneys has completed NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Training to learn the best way to challenge the validity of the tests.
What You Should Do If You Are Arrested For A DUI?
Each of our defense lawyers is passionate about helping every client restore their lives after a devastating criminal charge like a DUI. Contacting our lawyers in Missoula should be your first step after you have been charged with this crime.
Our DUI lawyers will ensure your rights are protected, prevent you from answering self-incriminating questions, and work tirelessly to acquit the charges.
Contact Our DUI Lawyers
The first step in reducing jail time and other penalties after a DUI charge is to remain calm and contact our lawyers. We know being charged with any crime or being arrested is a scary situation, but by contacting an attorney, you can be sure you are taking the necessary steps to protect your rights.
Do Not Speak To the Police
You should not speak to the police without a defense lawyer present. You should, however, cooperate with the officer to prevent any additional charges while still invoking your right to remain silent. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers will help you answer any questions the officer may have so you can avoid self-incrimination.
Contact A Missoula DUI Attorney For Free
Our DUI attorneys have been fighting for Montanans since 1959. Over the years, we have represented more than 7,500 clients and helped them recover millions of dollars in compensation. We are affiliated with renowned legal organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers and the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable drinking and driving lawyers, request a case review online or call us at 406-389-4215.