Steps After a DUI Arrest: Hardship Licenses

When a driver is charged with a DUI, their license is automatically suspended and must be surrendered to the Court at their arraignment. Obviously, the immediate loss of a license is a significant disruption. The logistics of asking a friend to drive you to a DUI arraignment alone is a shock most drivers are unprepared for. Furthermore, expenses arise as car services and public transportation become necessary.

An experienced lawyer will know how to argue for a hardship license. A hearing will have to be held where, after argument, the Judge will decide whether suspending a specific driver’s license will result in extreme hardship to you or a member of your household.

There are specific standards that must be properly met to obtain a hardship license. Supporting documentation must also be prepared. When a lawyer is successful and the evidence provided supports the need, a hardship license will be granted. This piece of paper will have written limits to a person’s driving privilege on it. It must be shown if a driver gets pulled over for any reason. For example, if a hardship license allows you to drive to work from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and a driver happens to get pulled over within this time frame, the document must be shown to the officer to avoid arrest.

Losing your license is a significant event that derails a driver’s short and long term. Consulting an attorney with experience in criminal and traffic laws can mitigate the damage. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office focuses primarily on traffic issues and has had a stellar track record since 2011. Our firm helps motorists in New York City, Long Island, and upstate New York. With our knowledge of the law, we can minimize the harm you and your loved ones will experience from DUI charges.