Washington DC OWI Lawyer

Aggressive DC OWI Attorney

Drinking and driving is a criminal offense that is severely prosecuted in Washington DC.  In the nation’s capital, there are three alcohol-related driving offenses with which a person may be charged:  DWI, DUI, and OWI.  Most people know that driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher can result in a driving while intoxicated conviction, but many do not realize that one may still be charged in DC with OWI, or Operating While Impaired, with a lower BAC.  In fact, DC OWI charges can be filed without any blood-alcohol test results at all.  Because of the amount of evidence necessary for a DC OWI conviction, it is an easier criminal offense to prosecute.  For this reason, if you are charged with OWI in the District, it is important to contact a DC OWI lawyer as soon as possible to start building a strategy for your defense.

What is DC OWI?

Operating While Impaired is defined by Washington DC DUI laws as operating a motor vehicle while impaired by intoxicating liquor.  In order to be arrested for OWI in DC, police have only to find that you are “impaired” in any way by alcohol consumption while operating a vehicle.  They do not have to find evidence of intoxication, as in the field sobriety tests required for a DUI arrest, or the breath, blood, or urine tests required for a DWI charge.  Furthermore, the term “operating” when referring to a car, truck, or other vehicle, merely means that the suspect has actual physical control of the vehicle.  One does not have to actually be driving to be charged with DUI, DWI, or OWI in Washington DC.   The broad and subjective nature of a DC OWI charge makes it imperative that individuals seek experienced representation from a DC OWI attorney who is uniquely qualified to handle alcohol-related driving offenses.