Lewis at Law

EIGHT THINGS TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. It’s moments after a traffic accident - what should you do? Here are eight tips: Call for emergency medical assistance, if necessary. Report as best as you can on the status of those with injuries. Report the accident. It’s a good idea to call 911. Avoid making any oral or written statements. You may wish to consult an attorney before making any statements to witnesses...

DUI FIRST APPEARANCE: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. After you are arrested for a DUI, you will make your first appearance, commonly known as an arraignment. The arraignment is a court procedure during which you enter a plea and arrange other details, including bond and the scheduling your next appearance/proceeding in your case. It is vital that you evaluate your case before deciding what to do next – especially if you want to fight your case. When you first appear...

CONSIDER INSURANCE COSTS: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. You can expect your insurance premium to rise dramatically after a DUI conviction. It may not only double, but you could also lose your coverage entirely. Proof of insurance is mandatory in most states, which means that without coverage, you could have trouble getting to work everyday. Additionally, many employers require workers to carry coverage, which may mean that you could lose your job completely if it i...

THE COST OF A DUI: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. A local DUI Attorney can help you understand the specific DUI laws in South Dakota. Remember, each State has different laws, penalties, and fines when it comes to a DUI conviction.  Although you are being charged in South Dakota the consequences can follow you back to your home state. A DUI can cost you more than time and money it can lead to a lengthy suspension of your driving privileges. Don’t go to cour...

WHAT “DRIVING WHILE BLOOD ALCOHOL IS 0.08% OR GREATER” MEANS: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. A person with a blood-alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08% or greater is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. South Dakota has taken this one step further by flatly prohibiting anyone from driving with this much alcohol in their blood, whether or not driving is impaired. To prove a person is guilty of the offense of driving with a BAC of 0.08%, the following ele...

WHAT “DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE” MEANS: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. DUI laws prohibit driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, driving under the influence of a drug, and driving under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug (legal or illegal), regardless of blood-alcohol level. To prove a person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence, the following elements must be proven: The person drove a vehicle/...

 A DUI BY ANY OTHER NAME: Paul A. Lewis, Attorney at Law, www.lewisatlawesq.com. Some states refer to it as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), other states refer to it as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and a small group of states called it Operating Under the Influence (OUI). In South Dakota it is referred to as a "DUI." This criminal offense generally includes either driving under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it impairs your physical and mental faculties, or driving while ...