Burlington Vermont DUI Lawyer

The offense of drunk driving in Vermont is called Driving Under the Influence or DUI. It is a serious charge that could result in both immediate penalties and long-term consequences. The entire process is unsettling and confusing, and the police and prosecutor will be working toward a conviction.

No matter how difficult things seem, it is important to remember that you have rights and that an experienced Vermont DUI defense lawyer can make a positive difference in the outcome of your case.

Burlington DUI Lawyer Jason Sawyer has the experience and legal skills that you need. The drunk driving defense team at Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer includes attorneys who know Vermont DUI laws and have extensive experience with DUI cases, an in-house research lawyer and an in-house licensed investigator. They are the only area law firm with an investigator on staff. The law firm of Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer has successfully handled more than 100 jury trials and thousands of traffic offenses, criminal cases and cases of driving under the influence in Chittenden County.

Chittenden County DUI Attorney Jason Sawyer will challenge evidence against you, review the arrest report for errors in procedure, question the reason for the initial traffic stop, study blood and breath test equipment maintenance records, interview all witnesses and file suppression motions on your behalf. If the prosecution cannot prove every element of its case, there is a chance your case could be reduced or dismissed.

Burlington Vermont DUI Lawyer Jason Sawyer offers a free initial consultation during which he will review your specific case and provide an honest appraisal of your legal situation. To schedule a review of your case, fill out the form to the left or call (802) 862-8919. There is no obligation and time is very important in a DUI defense, so call now.

An arrest for drunk driving in Burlington, Vermont or Chittenden County will actually result in two cases being filed against you. One is a criminal charge that is resolved in the courts. The second is a civil case where the state will seek to suspend your driver's license. The length of the suspension is determined by a number of issues, including whether you have any prior alcohol related traffic incidents on your record, though a first offense usually results in a minimum 3-month sanction. The two cases are very separate, and, in fact, you can win your criminal case and still lose your license, and vice versa.

You can fight the suspension but you must have paperwork on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 7 days of the date of your arrest. If you do not get the request to the DMV on time, you will automatically lose your license. Vermont does not issue hardship or work permit licenses.

Having legal guidance during the DMV hearing can improve the chances of keeping your driving privileges. You don't have much time, so contact Chittenden County Vermont DUI Lawyer Jason Sawyer now for immediate help.

The state can try to prove a case of driving under the influence in Vermont two ways. The first is if your blood alcohol content registered in excess of .08%. The other is finding you impaired by alcohol or drugs, without BAC evidence.

Being found guilty first-offense Vermont DUI could result in jail, probation, fines, loss of license, community service, alcohol education classes, an alcohol assessment that could lead to further treatment and surcharges for several anti-drunk driving funds.

You will probably lose your auto insurance and be required to carry expensive coverage for several years. In certain cases you could have your vehicle seized. A DUI conviction will lead to a criminal record, which could impact your ability to find or keep a job. Canada is increasingly enforcing its long-standing policy of denying entry to anyone with a criminal record, regardless of the nature of the crime.

The consequences of a DUI in Vermont are serious and warrant seeking a professional, qualified drunk driving defense lawyer. Contact Burlington DUI Attorney Jason Sawyer to learn more.

It should be noted that any conviction for drunk driving in Vermont will remain on your record for your lifetime. Prosecutors will review your record to determine if you have any prior alcohol related convictions in your past. Previous offenses will increase the penalties for any subsequent DUI arrests, with the third offense being a felony.

Vermont is a member of the Interstate Driver's License Compact, which shares driving offense information with other states. Even if a past drunk driving infraction happened in another state, it will likely impact your Vermont case.

Protect your future and contact Chittenden County Vermont DUI Attorney Jason Sawyer. The law firm of Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer will fight for your rights and try to keep your record clean.

Burlington Vermont DUI Attorneys Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer practice criminal defense, including helping those accused of driving under the influence in Chittenden County. Lawyers with the firm frequently attend and present DUI defense related seminars, especially those involving advanced training in analyzing and challenging scientific evidence.

Principal of the firm, Jason J. Sawyer, is admitted to practice law in all Vermont state courts, the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

Jason Sawyer is the current president of the VACDL and the Vermont State Delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. Attorney Sawyer received an undergraduate degree from Grinnell College and a juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating with distinction. He interned for the Shadow Foreign Minister in the English House of Commons in London. Jason Sawyer is a member of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association, the Vermont Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a graduate of the esteemed Western Trial Advocacy Institute in Laramie, Wyoming and NCDD Summer Sessions at Harvard University.

Law partner Paul S. Volk focuses on federal and state criminal law. He is former president of the Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a current member of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Attorney Paul Volk recently tried the case of US v. Fell, the first death penalty case in Vermont in over fifty years.

Paul Volk graduated summa cum laude from the New England School of Law, where he was editor of the New England Law Review. He is admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts in Vermont, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and the second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Attorneys Sawyer and Volk successfully argued the notable State v. Goldberg case, which affirmed the need for corroboration of probable cause in the issuance of search warrants. The decision helped protect the privacy rights of all people of Vermont.

Schedule a Free Consultation
To learn more about Chittenden County Vermont DUI Lawyers Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer ask for a free initial consultation. They will listen to you and discuss their fees and your legal options. There is no obligation and the inquiry is confidential so fill out the form to the left or call (802) 862-8919 and get the help you need.