Manchester DUI Lawyer

When you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) you face suspension of your driver’s license, skyrocketing insurance costs, high fines, probation and, in some cases, jail time. The stakes are high, the factual and legal issues are complicated, and the criminal justice procedures are complex. You need experienced, aggressive and effective legal representation right away. David F. Silver has over 27 years of experience representing individuals charged with DUI and has a track record of success. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. His practice focuses on criminal defense in general and DUI in particular.

In Vermont, time is of the essence when you are charged with DUI ---call David F. Silver immediately for a consultation.

First Offense

  • 90 day suspension of drivers license or Vermont driving privileges for an out-of-State license holder. If breath or blood testing is refused, the suspension period is 6 months;
  • Fine of up to $750.00, up to 2 year imprisonment or both, plus court costs of $186.00 (add $50.00 if refusal);
  • Completion of an alcohol and driving education program, Project CRASH, including evaluation by a licensed alcohol counselor who must certify that the driver should either be eligible for reinstatement or undergo alcohol counseling and/or treatment;
  • If treatment is necessary, the driver must complete or show substantial progress in completing treatment as a condition for reinstatement;
  • Proof of financial responsibility (SR22) insurance must be filed for 3 years with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, regardless whether the offender had auto insurance in effect at the time of the offense;
  • Pay Vermont D.M.V. a $75.00 reinstatement fee.

Second Offense

  • Suspension of Vermont license or driving privileges for 18 months;
  • Maximum fine of $1,500.00, 2 years imprisonment or both, with at least 400 hours of community service or 100 consecutive hours of imprisonment, with sentence credit for any time spent in residential alcohol treatment as ordered by the court;
  • Completion of Project CRASH or other alcohol and driving program with completion or substantial progress shown in completing alcohol treatment program as condition for reinstatement;
  • All other penalties as applicable to first offenses.

Third or Higher Offense (Felony)

  • Lifetime revocation of Vermont driver's license or non-resident operating privilege, but eligible for reinstatement 3 years after revocation date upon proof of total abstinence from drugs and alcohol;
  • $2,500.00 fine, 5 years imprisonment or both;
  • All other penalties as applicable to first offenses.

If Arrested: Know your rights! Click Here.

About David Silver:

David SilverDavid F. Silver joined the law firm as a partner in 1992.  He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (www.nbtanet.org). His law practice concentrates on criminal defense in the state and federal courts of Vermont and New York, personal injury litigation and employment law David graduated with honors from Cardozo Law School in 1983.  After graduating from law school he became a public defender with The Legal Aid Society of New York in the Bronx office before moving on to become a Federal Defender. David was a trial attorney for the Federal Defender Division, Southern District of New York, of the Legal Aid Society of the City of New York from 1997-1990.  After moving to Vermont with his family in 1990, David served as a Bennington County Public Defender for two years.  He is a Director of the Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Vermont Trial Lawyers Association.