Criminal Charges

1. Driving While Intoxicated : This is a class "A" misdemeanor in Alaska for your first two offenses. After that, they are class "C" felonies. For a first & second offense, you can serve up to a year in jail and pay up to $10,000 in fines for the first offense. You will lose your driver's license for 90 days (for the first offense). The normal (first) sentence is 45 days in jail, with 42 suspended (you serve 3 days in jail), a $1,500 fine, approximately $500 of other fines/levies and 90 days lost license. You will also must get SR22 "high risk" insurance for the next five years. This insurance normally costs approximately $400/month. You must contact an attorney within 7 days of your arrest, or the Division of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driver's license for 90 days. This is very important. Do not delay in finding an attorney. Remember, you must blow into the "Datamaster" machine at the police station. You are NOT required to get out of your car and do field sobriety tests.

2. Assault : Assault is scaring a person - but not necessarily hurting him/her. The seriousness of an assault depends on: (1) whether the "victim" was hurt; (2) whether you used a weapons; and (3) Like DWI, Alaska takes assault cases very seriously. If you are living with another person, or have ever had physical relations with that person - even scaring him/her is an assault in Alaska . It is very serious. You will go to jail. If convicted, you will lose your rights to have/carry firearms. If you ever get angry enough to hit another person, run from the room - get in your car and sleep in a hotel. It will save you A LOT of money and grief. Never give statements to the police. Call an attorney.

3. Misconduct Involving A Controlled Substance (MICS) : Small amounts of marijuana are legal in Alaska . You can't: (1) buy it; (2) sell it; (3) grow it; or (4) deliver it, but up to 4 ounces of week is, technically, legal in the State. The Federal government disagrees - so be careful with any amount of marijuana. If you are charged with MICS violations, realize that the amount of drugs you possess bears on the level of your charges. The lowest charge is MICS VI. A MICS IV is VERY serious - and will land you in jail for a long while. Give no statements to the police, ever. Call an attorney.

4. Serious Felonies : Call an attorney, now.

Recommend Criminal Law Attorneys:

• Larry Reger, Esq. - (907) 451-5526
• Frank Spaulding, Esq. - (907) 456-6219
• John Franich, Esq. - (907) 456-5100
• Bill Satterberg, Esq. - (907) 452-4454