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Omaha CDL DUI Lawyers
A DUI charge is serious, but a CDL DUI is potentially career-ending. A single conviction can cost you your professional license or permanently bar you from getting one again. Contact our Omaha CDL DUI lawyers to find out where you stand and what your options are.
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Get a Lawyer for CDL DUI Charges
If you have a CDL and have been charged with a DUI in Nebraska, you need a defense attorney who understands what’s at stake. The rules are different for commercial driver’s license holders, so the standard that applies to you is not the same standard that applies to everyone else on the road.
A CDL DUI puts your entire life on the line, which means this is not a situation to wait and see what happens. Contact Dornan Law Team today to schedule a free consultation.
CDL DUI Laws in Omaha
The legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) for standard Nebraska drivers is .08%. But for drivers who hold a CDL, the limit gets cut in half to .04%. That means you can be stone-cold sober by typical standards and still be over the legal limit for a commercial vehicle.
Another caveat is that the blood alcohol limit for CDL DUI applies when you’re behind the wheel, but the consequences of a conviction apply regardless of what you were driving when you got arrested. You can get pulled over in your personal vehicle off the clock and still lose your commercial driving privileges, depending on the circumstances.
The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles is explicit that driving any motor vehicle under the influence is a disqualifying offence for all CDL holders. Contact an Omaha CDL DUI lawyer for more information.
What a CDL DUI Can Cost You
There’s a lot on the line when you get charged with a DUI while holding a commercial driver’s license. For example, your first offense can disqualify your driving privileges for up to a year. And if you were transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification window can extend to three years.
A first-offence DUI in Omaha also means up to 60 days in jail and a hefty fine. But a second CDL DUI conviction means lifetime commercial driver’s license disqualification. If you get convicted of a DUI twice in Nebraska, you will never hold a commercial driver’s license again. Consult your lawyer to learn more.
Your Job Finds Out Fast
Nebraska reports all DUI rest arrests involving CDL holders within 72 hours. They quickly notify the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), which means your current employer finds out about it almost immediately. The system does not wait for you to be convicted or have a trial.
Most major carriers in the United States have zero tolerance policies for DUI of any kind or nature. The arrest can trigger termination before a conviction is ever made. So, the Omaha CDL DUI lawyer and defence strategy you use makes a tremendous difference.
Consequences of Refusing a Chemical Test for DUI
In most cases, refusing to take a chemical test for DUI is not a safe option. Nebraska operates under implied consent, which means refusing to submit to a chemical test after being lawfully arrested in Omaha is treated as a disqualifying offense. Meanwhile, the refusal goes on your permanent record just like a failed test would. And most prosecutors can and will use that against you.
How to Challenge a CDL DUI Charge in Omaha
Many CDL DUI cases in Omaha can be challenged with experienced legal counsel. All cases are dependent on a chain of evidence; any broken links in that chain can weaken the case against you. Our Omaha CDL DUI lawyers look for these breaks to build a solid defense on your behalf.
Here’s what Dornan Law Team looks for:
- Was there reasonable suspicion for law enforcement to conduct a traffic stop?
- Were field sobriety test administration protocols followed?
- Was the breathalyzer testing equipment calibrated, and the administration procedure properly followed?
- How was the chemical test component collected, stored, and analyzed?
- Was the arresting officer qualified to administer chemical tests and observations?
Nebraska law requires second DUI tests within 10 minutes of the first to confirm the finding of .08%. If law enforcement fails to conduct that second test, it could invalidate the test results. Contact Dornan Law Team to discuss your case and protect your rights.
Contact Omaha CDL DUI Lawyers Now
The longer you wait, the riskier the situation becomes. In Omaha, you only have 10 days from the day you are arrested to request a hearing and challenge your license revocation. And the deadline doesn’t pause because you need to figure out what to do next. Contact Omaha CDL DUI lawyers at Dornan Law Team now.
In the meantime, do not make statements to law enforcement or contact your employer until you have spoken with an attorney. No outcome is inevitable but depends on how quickly and aggressively your defense strategy is built. Reach out now to get started.
