Victoria writes about people management, legal practice, technology, and the future of work. Her diverse career has included experience as a US employment lawyer and various roles in human resource management, including a strategic HR role at The Walt Disney Company. Now living in the UK, Victoria provides unique insights on the world of work in the US, UK, and EU.
Victoria Pearce
Victoria writes about people management, legal practice, technology, and the future of work. Her diverse career has included experience as a US employment lawyer and various roles in human resource management, including a strategic HR role at The Walt Disney Company. Now living in the UK, Victoria provides unique insights on the world of work in the US, UK, and EU.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
If you have been accused of driving impaired in Louisville, you need to find a qualified lawyer fast. Kentucky DUI convictions can leave you with a suspended license, court fees and a criminal record. Finding the right attorney can help you avoid the worst outcomes for your case.
We’ve reviewed the best DUI lawyers in Louisville and compiled a list of the top ten to make it easier for you to find a lawyer to handle your case.
Read more
Best DUI Attorneys in Louisville, KY
Compare Top DUI Attorneys
DUI Laws in Kentucky
The DUI laws in Kentucky prohibit driving when you are impaired by alcohol or controlled substances. While several variables can impact what you will be charged with after a DUI arrest, we’ll cover the basics of what constitutes DUI and how penalties are assessed.
Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in Kentucky
Kentucky makes it illegal for adults aged 21 or over to operate a motor vehicle if their BAC is 0.08 or higher. You may also be charged with DUI if any of the following are true:
- You are under the influence of alcohol
- You are under the influence of any other substance that impairs your ability to drive
- You have a controlled substance detectable in your blood
- You are under 21 and have a BAC of 0.02 or higher
An adult with a BAC between 0.04 and 0.08 may still be considered under the influence of alcohol, depending on the other circumstances at the time of their arrest.
Implied Consent Laws in Kentucky
Along with many other states, Kentucky enforces an implied consent law for impairment testing. This means that your operation of a motor vehicle on state roads is enough to give your consent for testing if an officer has probable cause to believe you are impaired. Tests allowed under the implied consent law include breath, blood, or urine tests.
Refusing an impairment test, including a BAC test, will automatically suspend your driver’s license. This suspension will stay in place until your case is resolved, even if you are ultimately acquitted of DUI charges.
DUI Penalties in Kentucky
If you are convicted of DUI, you may face fines, jail time and suspension of your license. The potential penalties increase if you have had prior convictions. Jail time has a mandatory minimum when certain aggravating circumstances are present.
Aggravating circumstances include:
- Speeding more than 30 mph over the speed limit
- Wrong way driving on a limited-access highway
- Causing an accident that results in serious injuries or a fatality
- BAC at or over 0.15
- Driving with a minor passenger under the age of 12
Penalties for DUI are assessed as follows:
| Number of offenses in a 10-year period | Fine | Jail Time | Mandatory Minimum Jail Time For Convictions with Aggravating Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First offense
|
$200 to $500
|
48 hours to 30 days
|
4 days
|
|
Second offense
|
$350 to $500
|
7 days to 6 months
|
14 days
|
|
Third offense
|
$500 to $1,000
|
30 days to 12 months
|
60 days
|
Fourth and subsequent offenses are considered Class D felonies. A conviction at this level will result in a minimum term of imprisonment of 240 days if aggravating circumstances are present. A license suspension for fourth and subsequent offenses can range from 30 to 60 months.
License suspension after a DUI conviction will not be lifted until you complete an approved alcohol or substance abuse treatment program. The length of a license suspension can be lowered if you allow an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle and participate in the Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program.
For first offenses, you can petition the judge to enter a community labor program instead of receiving a fine, jail time, or both. Second and third offenses may be sentenced to community labor, fines, or jail time.
What to Expect After a DUI Arrest in Kentucky
A police officer can pull you over if they suspect that you have been driving while intoxicated. From there, they will conduct a field sobriety test or ask you to take a breathalyzer test. If your tests indicate impairment, or if you refuse to test, you will likely be taken to jail.
If this is your first DUI offense, you can post a bond after a few hours, allowing you to leave jail and return for your court date. Otherwise, you may remain in jail while awaiting a court date.
Your first court appearance is called an arraignment. You will be asked to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. Hiring an attorney before you enter a plea can help ensure you provide an appropriate plea for your situation.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
A qualified DUI attorney will help you through the legal process from start to finish. They will evaluate your case and the evidence to be presented against you. They can also identify potential defenses to your DUI charges and any factors that could entitle you to a lesser sentence if you are found guilty.
Your lawyer will also represent you at court appearances and may be able to negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors on your behalf. Most importantly, an experienced DUI lawyer will understand the legal process inside and out so you don’t have to.
How to Choose the Best DUI Lawyer in Louisville, KY
It can feel overwhelming trying to find the right lawyer for your needs. The lawyers listed above each have significant experience with DUI defense, but you should also keep the following in mind regardless of who you select to represent you.
- DUI knowledge. Criminal defense law can cover a wide range of cases, so ensure that the lawyer you hire has specific knowledge of DUI cases. If they have handled many DUI cases, they are more likely to be able to navigate yours efficiently and effectively.
- Trial experience. Your case may never require a trial. However, it is a possibility that you want your lawyer to be prepared to handle it. They should confidently advocate for you in front of judges and juries.
- Clear pricing. Most DUI lawyers work on either a flat fee or hourly fee basis. Make sure that you understand how your lawyer will bill you so that you can estimate what the overall cost will be.
- Case handling. Many DUI lawyers run solo practices, meaning they are the only lawyer in the law firm. Different lawyers also rely on support staff like paralegals more or less than others. Ask upfront about who will work on your case and ensure you are comfortable with the communication you will likely receive.
Methodology
To come up with the best DUI lawyers in Louisville in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Kentucky?
For a first DUI offense, lawyer fees typically run between $1,500 and $5,000. Cases requiring a trial may run as high as $10,000, excluding expert witness fees. Second and subsequent offenses can be as much as double the cost of representation for a first offense.
What are the charges for a first DUI in Kentucky?
A first DUI in Kentucky is charged as a misdemeanor. Conviction or a guilty plea on a first DUI will result in driver’s license suspension, fines and jail time. However, it is possible to lessen or avoid some of these penalties by requesting admission to an approved community labor program.
Do you lose your license immediately after a DUI in Kentucky?
Your license will be immediately suspended after you are charged with DUI in Kentucky. The suspension will not be lifted until your case is resolved, even if you are acquitted. The court may also impose a suspension if you are convicted or enter a guilty plea.
The length of suspension a court orders varies depending on whether you have prior offenses, any other aggravating circumstances and your willingness to participate in an ignition interlock program.
