McCarthy & Hamrock P.C. - Attorneys at Law
Timothy McCarthy IIAaron D. Hamrock

Drunk Driving in Des Moines

It is illegal in every state to drive a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 percent or more.  Someone who does so is guilty of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).  Both of these charges are serious offenses.  When an accident is also involved, the penalties are even greater.

If you face charges of drunk driving in Des Moines or the surrounding areas, you need the services of attorneys who understand drunk driving laws. The lawyers at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. can help with your defense.

Des Moines Drunk Driving Arrest

You should never drink and drive, but people make mistakes and that includes those in law enforcement. In Des Moines and elsewhere, a police officer who stops you on suspicion of violating drunk driving laws can determine your BAC through a chemical testing of your blood, breath or urine. As in every state, Iowa maintains an Implied Consent law which means that if you have a license to drive, your consent to a properly requested BAC test by the police is implied. Should you refuse a BAC test, drunk driving laws can levy harsher penalties against you.

A drunk driving defense by your lawyer may well revolve around whether your BAC test was conducted properly. If it was not, the test results that led to your drunk driving arrest may be invalidated.

New Drunk Driving Law in Des Moines, Iowa

It is important for Des Moines drunk driving attorneys to be familiar with the latest DWI and OWI laws passed by Iowa legislators. Recently added laws that a drunk driving attorney can explain to you in detail include:

  • Ignition Interlock Devices: If you are arrested for DWI or OWI, have caused a drunk driving accident, or been convicted of a similar offense, the Iowa Department of Transportation may require an ignition interlock device be placed on your vehicle.  This breathalyzer-type device checks your BAC before allowing you to turn on your vehicle.
  • Restricted Licenses: The Iowa Department of Transportation may also issue temporary restricted licenses and enforce other penalties on you without requiring a court or judge to order the department to do so.

Des Moines Drunk Driving Lawyers

If you are charged with a crime, contact the Des Moines DUI lawyers at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. for a free consultation.  Call us at (888) 317-4978 or fill out our online contact form.
Timothy McCarthy II & Aaron D. Hamrock, Attorneys at Law
1200 Valley West Drive, Suite 400 | West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Telephone: 888-317-4978 | Fax: 515-279-8355 | Email

West Des Moines , Iowa Attorney practicing in Iowa primarily in Criminal Defense & Personal Injury. Lawyers at the McCarthy and Hamrock, P. C. are dedicated to serve their clients in Iowa, including the cities of Adel, Ames, Boone, Chariton, Des Moines, Eldora, Guthrie Center, Hampton, Indianola, Jefferson, Knoxville, Marshalltown, Montezuma, Newton, Nevada, Osceola and Winterset, and the communities that make up Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Franklin, Greene, Guthrie, Hardin, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Warren counties.
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McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. is located in West Des Moines, IA and serves clients in and around Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, West Des Moines, Grimes, Polk City, Waukee, Des Moines, Granger, Van Meter, Dallas Center, Booneville, Berwick, Cumming, Alleman, Woodward, Sheldahl, Altoona, Elkhart, Adel, Boone County, Dallas County, Polk County, Story County, Warren County, and throughout the State of Iowa.

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