Frankfort DUI Lawyers
Last updated on August 13, 2026
If you face charges of driving under the influence (DUI), we have the experience to make a difference in your case. We are True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP, a law firm serving the Frankfort and Franklin County region by providing high-quality criminal defense services.
To us, one thing matters: results. We are driven to deliver the results that minimize the impact of DUI charges on your future.
Our Firm Takes DUIs To Trial
With our skill in negotiation and the relationship we have developed with various District Attorneys’ offices, we often secure favorable plea bargains for our clients. Our attorneys are also trial-tested litigators who have defended clients before courts throughout Kentucky. If litigating your DUI case has the best likelihood of keeping your future clear, we will aggressively and thoroughly represent you at trial.
Understanding Kentucky Blood Alcohol Concentration Laws
Kentucky’s blood alcohol concentration limits will vary depending on what type of driver you are:
- For standard drivers: .08% or higher
- For commercial drivers (CDL): .04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle
- For drivers under 21: .02% or higher, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance policy
Having a BAC of .15% or higher triggers enhanced penalties. Below .08%, an officer can still arrest you if other evidence indicates impairment.
The state also follows a “per se” standard. If your BAC meets or exceeds the applicable limit, law enforcement can arrest you without additional proof of impairment.
Kentucky Implied Consent Laws And Roadside Testing
When you accept a Kentucky driver’s license, you give advance consent to chemical testing if an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect impaired driving. This is the foundation of the state’s implied consent law.
During a stop, an officer may ask you to submit to:
- Standardized field sobriety tests, including the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand
- A preliminary breath test (PBT) at the roadside
- A breath test administered at the police station
- A blood test to detect alcohol or impairing substances
You may decline field sobriety tests and the PBT at the scene. However, refusing a chemical test at the station can lead to more severe consequences. A breath test refusal can result in an automatic license suspension, and it can also disqualify you from hardship driving privileges.
If you have a prior DUI conviction within 10 years, a refusal to submit to chemical testing can serve as an aggravating circumstance, which can increase mandatory minimum jail time upon conviction.
What Are The Penalties For A DUI Conviction in Kentucky?
Kentucky takes drunk driving charges very seriously. Although DUIs are fairly common, you should not underestimate the severity that the consequences can have on your life if you are convicted. In our state, the criminal penalties can include:
- Fines of $200 to $1,000
- Jail time of 48 hours to 12 months
- Ninety days to one year of treatment
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
The severity of a punishment increases with each subsequent charge. If you have one or more previous DUI convictions, it is crucial that you have our criminal defense lawyers on your side to minimize the damage.
Will You Lose Your Driver’s License If Convicted Of Drunk Driving In Kentucky?
Yes, a DUI conviction in Kentucky carries an automatic license suspension. The length depends on how many prior DUI convictions appear on your record within the past 10 years:
- First offense: six-month suspension
- Second offense within 10 years: 18-month suspension
- Third offense within 10 years: 36-month suspension
The Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program (KIIP) allows eligible drivers to reduce their suspension by installing an ignition interlock device (IID) that blocks the ignition if their BAC exceeds .02%. First-offense drivers who complete 90 consecutive violation-free days in KIIP can reduce their remaining suspension to four months.
If you need to drive to work or take your child to school, our criminal defense attorneys can help you explore a hardship license or an ignition interlock license. Both options preserve key driving privileges while limiting when and where you can drive.
Contact A Kentucky DUI Attorney Today To Defend Your Rights
Do not hesitate – time is of the essence in DUI cases. The longer you wait to hire a DUI attorney, the more evidence the state can gather against you. Contact True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP, at 502-934-5796, send us an email, or stop by our Frankfort County office to schedule a free initial consultation for your DUI defense.