Alabama DUI Lawyer Serving Selma and West Alabama

A DUI arrest creates two urgent problems: the criminal charge and the possible loss of driving privileges. Elliott Owen Lipinsky is a former Alabama prosecutor who defends drivers in Selma, Dallas County, the Black Belt, Montgomery, and the River Region.

Start a free DUI case review or call (334) 230-7986. Your inquiry goes directly to the Law Offices of Elliott Owen Lipinsky.

What are the two sides of an Alabama DUI case?

The first is the criminal case in court. The second may be an administrative driver-license action. They can have different rules, deadlines, evidence, and consequences, and the license matter may move before the first court date. Early review helps identify which documents were served, what hearing or appeal rights may exist, and what must be done next.

What does Alabama law prohibit?

Alabama law addresses driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle under several theories, including an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more, impairment by alcohol, impairment by a controlled substance, or impairment by a combination of substances. The current statutory language is available in Alabama Code § 32-5A-191. A test number is important, but it is not the only possible issue in the case.

What evidence should be reviewed?

The reason for the traffic stop or police encounter.
Body-camera, dash-camera, surveillance, and dispatch records.
Officer observations and the timing of those observations.
Instructions and administration of field-sobriety exercises.
Breath-testing records, operator qualifications, maintenance, and procedure.
Blood-draw authorization, collection, storage, chain of custody, and laboratory analysis.
Medical conditions, injuries, footwear, road surface, lighting, weather, and other explanations.
Statements attributed to the driver and whether constitutional rights were respected.

A DUI defense is built from the actual evidence, not assumptions. Video can confirm an officer’s report, contradict it, or reveal details that a written narrative leaves out.

Can a traffic stop or arrest be challenged?

Police generally need a lawful basis for a stop, and an arrest must be supported by probable cause. The defense may examine whether the stop was justified, whether the encounter was extended lawfully, whether roadside questions or searches crossed constitutional limits, and whether the total circumstances supported the arrest. If evidence was obtained unlawfully, the court may be asked to suppress it. Whether a motion is appropriate depends on the facts.

What penalties and collateral consequences may follow?

Potential consequences can include fines, court costs, incarceration, probation, substance-related programs, ignition-interlock requirements, license consequences, increased insurance costs, and effects on employment or professional credentials. Prior DUI history, alleged test level, injury, a child passenger, license status, and other facts can change the exposure. The exact consequences should be evaluated under the law applicable to the particular case.

What should you do after a DUI arrest?

Keep every citation, bond paper, temporary-license document, and property receipt.
Photograph the location, roadway, footwear, injuries, or vehicle conditions if relevant and safe.
Write down the timeline while your memory is fresh, including food, medication, witnesses, testing, and statements.
Preserve receipts, phone records, photographs, video, and names of potential witnesses.
Do not post about the case or try to explain it to witnesses online.
Follow bond and license restrictions exactly.
Contact counsel promptly because a driver-license deadline may be shorter than expected.

How does former-prosecutor experience help?

Before representing people charged with DUI, Elliott Lipinsky prosecuted Alabama criminal cases. That perspective helps him evaluate how the State built the case—from the claimed basis for the stop through roadside observations, testing, reports, and courtroom proof. It does not promise an outcome. It helps focus the defense on the questions and evidence that matter.

Where does Elliott Lipinsky handle DUI cases?

The firm is based in Selma and serves Dallas County and communities throughout West Alabama’s Black Belt, as well as Montgomery and the River Region. Visit the Locations hub for county and city resources, or review the firm’s broader criminal-defense practice.

Frequently asked questions

Will I automatically lose my license?

Not every case is identical. A separate administrative process may apply depending on the alleged facts and testing. The paperwork and current deadlines should be reviewed immediately; waiting for the criminal court date may be too late to preserve every option.

Can I refuse field-sobriety tests?

Different kinds of tests can raise different legal issues. What occurred, what was requested, and what consequences may follow should be evaluated under the facts and current Alabama law.

Is a first DUI a felony in Alabama?

A first offense is generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor, but facts and statutory enhancements can affect classification and consequences. Do not rely on a general answer without reviewing the charge and history.

Can a DUI be reduced or dismissed?

Possible outcomes depend on the stop, evidence, testing, procedure, history, prosecutor, and court. No lawyer can promise a reduction or dismissal, but a thorough investigation can identify defenses, evidentiary weaknesses, and realistic resolutions.

How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

The initial consultation is free. Fees depend on the court, expected work, testing issues, and complexity. The office explains the fee before representation begins.

Protect the next decision

Call (334) 230-7986 or send a confidential case-evaluation request. Contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after the firm accepts the matter in writing.

Legal reference last reviewed September 2026. This page provides general information, not legal advice.