DUI Defense in North Idaho
There are no upsides to a conviction for drunk driving. Whether you’re “Sunday driving,” navigating North Idaho in an 18-wheeler for your job, or unsteadily making your way home after a party – attempting any of that in an altered state risks DUI penalties such as driver’s license revocation, jail or prison terms, heavy fines, and other collateral consequences.
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence — whether you are a first-offense DUI or repeat offender — you need an experienced, exceptional DUI defense attorney in your corner who knows the law, knows those who enforce and adjudicate it, and knows how to get results.
In Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, those skilled, strategic lawyers are Joseph Sullivan and Luke Crawford.
What to Expect
They take charge of your case and pursue it in great detail, asking questions such as:
- • Why were you stopped?
- • Did you admit to drinking or using drugs?
- • Did you perform or refuse to submit to a standardized field sobriety test?
- • Did you provide or refuse a breath, blood or urine sample?
- • Were you involved in a crash?
- • Were you seriously injured or hospitalized? Are you currently under a doctor’s care?
- • When did you eat and sleep last before you were arrested?
- • Were you advised of your rights by the arresting officer?
Expect to be asked questions like these during your free initial consultation with our team.
Act Quickly
You only have seven days from the date of service on your Notice of Suspension to appeal the automatic license suspension (ALS) from the Idaho Transportation Department or request a Refusal Hearing.
Arrested For Drunk Driving? Facing Felony Charges?
Your concerns are our priority. As an Attorney and former State Trooper, Joseph Sullivan has been involved in thousands of DUI investigations, prosecutions, and defense cases. Our mission is to help you understand your rights, defend your future, and pursue the best outcome possible — starting now. We're available 7 days a week, including evenings.
Frequently Asked DUI Questions
In Idaho, you have given your implied consent to breathalyzer tests if you have a driver’s license. While you certainly have the right to refuse a breathalyzer test, you may be held accountable for breaching the implied consent and face certain consequences, such as license suspension, installation of an ignition interlock on your vehicle and significant fines. Refusing a breathalyzer test does not guarantee that the police won’t be able to obtain the necessary evidence against you for a DUI charge. However, if you have refused a test and are facing additional penalties on top of your DUI charge, a skilled DUI defense attorney can help.
Most DUI charges are categorized as a misdemeanor. However, there are certain situations in which a DUI is considered a felony, including:
- • When it’s the third DUI conviction within 10 years
- • When it’s a DUI within 15 years of a previous felony DUI
- • When it’s a second excessive DUI within five years (BAC of 0.20 or higher)
- • When it’s an aggravated DUI causing serious injury or death to another person
In these cases, you may be facing a felony charge, which comes with harsher penalties, such as up to 10 years in prison, license suspension, large fines of up to $5,000 and more.
In Idaho, your license will be automatically suspended after your DUI conviction, which can last up to 90 days. You can apply for a restricted driver’s license after 30 days, which will allow you to drive legally to work, school or certain other approved destinations, such as a doctor’s appointment if you have an ongoing medical condition. You will need to provide certain verification and documentation to be eligible for a restricted driver’s license. We can help ensure that your application is sound and fight to help you reinstate your license.