Fayette County DUI Lawyer KY

A DUI charge in Fayette County can turn your life upside down in an instant, especially if it happens in or around Lexington. Our Fayette County criminal defense lawyer knows what is at stake, from your freedom to your future.

Our Fayette County KY DUI lawyer is trial-tested and locally trusted, and we are here to protect your rights every step of the way. Contact Mashni Law, PLLC to request your confidential consultation and learn more about which defense strategies could be most beneficial to your case.

Types of DUI Charges You Could Face in Fayette County

If you were arrested for DUI in Fayette County, you are probably trying to identify exactly what kind of charge you are facing. Kentucky law covers several different DUI categories, and each one comes with its own consequences. Whether this is your first charge or something more serious, KRS § 189A.010 and KRS § 189A.105 outline how these cases are defined and how implied consent applies, respectively.

First-Time DUI and BAC Testing Results

If this is your first DUI charge, it might feel like everything is happening too fast. In most cases, the arrest is based on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), officer observations, or a field sobriety test. If your BAC is over the legal limit of 0.08%, you could be facing license suspension, fines, and mandatory alcohol education. Even if your test result was close to the legal limit, prosecutors often push hard to secure a conviction.

Our job is to slow things down and look closely at the details. That includes whether the traffic stop was legal, whether the test was properly given, and whether the officer followed procedure. Your Fayette County, KY DUI attorney from Mashni Law, PLLC will go through every part of the case with you so you understand your options from the start.

Underage DUI and College Campus Arrests in Lexington

Getting arrested for DUI under the age of 21 is treated differently in Kentucky. You do not need to be over the standard legal limit of 0.08% to face charges. If your BAC reads as little as 0.02%, it could lead to a DUI arrest, especially if the stop happened near a university or after a college event.

Juvenile criminal defense cases often involve students who made one mistake and are now facing serious consequences that could follow them long after school ends. We understand how high the stakes are when your future is still just getting started. Your DUI defense lawyer in Fayette County, KY will work with you and your family to try to protect your record and your opportunities moving forward.

DUI With a Minor Passenger or Enhanced Circumstances

If you were arrested while a child was in the car or if your BAC was especially high, you could be facing enhanced penalties. These charges come with additional consequences like longer license suspension periods, larger fines, or even mandatory jail time. The court takes these cases very seriously, especially if the arrest happened in a school zone or near children.

We take the time to understand what actually happened in the moment. That includes reviewing the police report, any dashcam footage, and the circumstances around the stop. Your Fayette County criminal justice attorney is here to help you push back against assumptions and tell your side of the story clearly and effectively.

DUI With Injury or Fatal Collision Allegations

If your DUI charge is connected to an accident that caused an injury or death, the consequences become much more serious. In these cases, the prosecution will likely try to increase the charges and push for a longer sentence. They may even try to file felony charges depending on the outcome of the crash.

These are not cases you should try to handle on your own. Our team works with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and witnesses to understand what really happened. If you are facing this kind of charge, your Fayette County, KY DUI attorney from Mashni Law, PLLC will give you the guidance and support you need to prepare for what comes next.

DUI-Related Offenses and Traffic Charges We Defend

If you are facing a DUI charge, there is a good chance you are dealing with more than just one accusation. Many of our clients come to us from Lexington and surrounding communities with multiple charges tied to the same traffic stop, and each one can make the situation more complicated. Here are some of the DUI-related and traffic offenses we defend in Fayette County:

Drug-related DUI – If you were accused of driving under the influence of marijuana, prescription medications, or any other substance that could impair your ability to drive, we will help you challenge that charge. We look at how the stop happened, how the test was handled, and whether the state’s case holds up.
Vehicular assault – If someone else was hurt and the state believes alcohol or drugs played a role, you could be facing a felony. We take the time to understand what really happened and push back on any claims that are not supported by the evidence.
Manslaughter – If your DUI case involves a fatal crash, the stakes go up quickly. We will step in right away to review the facts, preserve your rights, and start building your defense.
Felony DUI after multiple convictions – If this is not your first DUI, the state may try to charge it as a felony. We will look at your past record, challenge prior convictions if needed, and work toward the best possible outcome now.
DUI with a suspended license – Driving on a suspended license during a DUI stop makes things even harder, but it does not mean your case is hopeless. We are here to help you work through both issues and protect your future.
Leaving the scene of an accident – If you panicked and left the scene, you are not alone. We help people explain what happened and fight the assumption that leaving means guilt.
Traffic offenses that result in DUI stops – If your DUI started with something simple like speeding or a broken taillight, we will look at whether the stop was legal. We know how to challenge weak evidence and stop things from spiraling.

These cases can snowball fast, especially when multiple charges are filed at once. You deserve a defense team that knows how to manage every part of the case and how one charge affects the others. Whether you are facing one charge or several, we will make sure you are seen, heard, and defended from every angle.

What You Should Know About Drug-Related DUIs in Lexington

Under KRS § 189A.010(1)(c), state DUI laws also apply to marijuana, prescription medications, and illegal drugs. It does not matter if the substance was legally prescribed or taken in small amounts. If police believe it affected your ability to drive, they can still arrest you.

These cases often depend on probable cause and the opinion of a Drug Recognition Expert, or DRE. But DREs are not doctors. Their evaluations rely heavily on observation, not science, and we have seen many situations where their testimony is incomplete, inconsistent, or just plain wrong. A strong defense often starts with questioning how those evaluations were done.

If you are worried about costs, you are not alone. Many people ask how much a criminal defender costs before they even think about what kind of help they need. What matters more is whether the defense firm offers flat fees, flexibility, and a clear understanding of what is included. The right DUI defense lawyer will be upfront about the cost, the plan, and what to expect at every step. That is what we do.

Common Misconceptions About DUI Law in Kentucky

A lot of people have heard things about DUI charges that are not actually true. These misunderstandings can lead to fear, confusion, and missed opportunities to defend yourself. In reality, Kentucky law gives you more rights and options than you might think, even if you are already dealing with a license suspension under KRS § 189A.107.

You Can Only Be Charged if You Are Drunk

One of the most common myths is that you cannot be charged unless you are visibly drunk. The truth is that under Kentucky law, you can be arrested for DUI if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. This includes marijuana, prescription medication, or anything else that may affect your ability to drive safely.

Officers do not need to see a blood alcohol level of 0.08% to move forward with charges. If they believe your driving was impaired based on their observations or a field sobriety test, that alone can lead to an arrest. Our DUI defense attorney in Fayette County, KY can help you understand what the officers did, what evidence they are using, and how to fight the charge.

There’s No Way to Remove a DUI From Your Record

Another common belief is that once you have a DUI conviction, it will follow you forever. That is not always true. In some cases, you may be eligible for expungement, which is a legal process that clears your record of the conviction if you meet certain requirements under KRS § 431.078.

This can make a huge difference when you are applying for jobs, housing, or professional licenses. Expungement is not guaranteed, but it is possible. We help clients understand whether they qualify, how to apply, and what to expect throughout the process. If you are wondering whether your record can be cleared, we are here to help you find out.

Potential Defenses to Your DUI Case in Lexington

Not every DUI charge ends in a conviction. Many cases have issues that are easy to miss at first glance but can make a big difference once the details are reviewed. If you are wondering whether there is a way to fight your case, here are some signs that could point to a strong defense:

Unreliable field sobriety test results
Medical conditions mistaken for impairment
Police camera footage contradicting the report
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) testing equipment not calibrated correctly
Breath sample delay outside the legal timeframe
Passenger was driving
The officer lacked probable cause for the stop
Results were suppressed due to an illegal search

We go through every part of the case to look for weak spots in the state’s evidence. That includes how the stop happened, what kind of testing was used, and how your rights were handled. We are here to help you build a defense that gives you a real chance to move forward.

How a DUI Charge Could Impact Your Record and Future Opportunities

A DUI conviction affects what happens in court. It can show up on background checks, cause trouble when applying for jobs, and create barriers to professional licensing. The impact of a DUI often extends well beyond the fine or the initial sentence.

These charges can affect college admissions, financial aid, and eligibility for scholarships or housing. If you are applying for a visa or green card, even a misdemeanor DUI conviction could create delays or lead to additional review. Many clients are also surprised to learn that their DUI could come up during custody hearings or professional license renewals.

A suspended license can quickly disrupt your daily life. Missing work, rescheduling doctor visits, and finding new ways to manage childcare can all add stress to an already difficult situation. Our team helps you understand these hidden consequences early so you can plan for what is ahead and take steps to protect your future at every stage of the case.

Talk to our Fayette County DUI Lawyer Kentucky Who Treats Every Case Like It Matters

When your future is at risk, you need someone who knows the system and will not back down in court. Our DUI attorney in Fayette County, KY will examine every detail and challenge the prosecution’s case from the ground up. Contact Mashni Law, PLLC today to set up your confidential consultation and get the defense you deserve.