DWI Lawyers Northwest Arkansas
100% Focused on Criminal Defense and DWI/DUI in All of NWA
If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), you should not handle your charges alone. You must understand that you can get up to 1 year in jail even on a first offense DWI. Without proper legal help, it can be easy to make costly mistakes that lead to life-changing consequences.
At Norwood & Norwood, P.A., we believe that everyone charged with a DWI/DUI needs an experienced lawyer and that you should plead NOT GUILTY. If you hire us, our Northwest Arkansas DWI attorneys can appear in court on your behalf, which means you won’t have to go to your first appearance unless it is a felony.
Small Sample of Some of Our DWI/DUI Case Results
- NOT GUILTY: DWI - BAC .23 (State v J.G.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI– BAC .19 (State v J.S.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI3 – REFUSAL (State v B.L.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI3 – Drugs (State v J.L.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI – BAC .26 (State v J.M.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI – REFUSAL (State v Z.P.)
- NOT GUILTY:DWI – BAC .23 (State v V.M.)
Check out more DWI/DUI results below or by clicking here.
You may be worried because you’re unsure of how to handle your case. Norwood & Norwood, P.A. assures you that we know what to do. Our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers have fought for over 35,000 people charged with crimes, including 11,000 people charged with DWIs, and achieved thousands of “not guilty” results. Our NWA criminal defense team includes former prosecutors and has close to 100 years of experience. We know how to seek the best outcome possible.
That is why we have hundreds of 5-star reviews and have been voted Best NWA Criminal Lawyer by the NWA Democrat-Gazette.
Our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers have used our experience to win thousands of DWI cases where our client:
- Tested over the legal limit (BAC = .22, .13, .09, .15, etc.),
- Refused to take a breath test,
- Was charged with DWI drugs, or
- Was charged with an ACV (actual control of a vehicle)
We have also saved our clients over a million dollars in fines and court costs by negotiating dismissals of thousands of extra charges they got with the DWI.
Over 11,000 people have trusted us to defend their DWI case in NWA. Contact us at (479) 235-4600 today to get your defense underway with our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers.
DWI Charges in Arkansas
Under A.C.A. § 5-65-103, a person can be charged with DWI in one of two ways:
- They were in actual or physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs. To be “intoxicated” means that the ingestion of a substance altered the driver’s motor skills and/or judgment to the point that they could not safely control their car, and they endangered their life or the lives of others.
- They were in actual or physical control of a vehicle and their breath- or blood-alcohol concentration was .08 or more.
If you plead “guilty,” the judge will sentence you on every
charge to whatever they, within the minimum and maximum sentence. It is
not true that a DWI is “no big deal” – that you will
“just have to pay a fine and complete alcohol classes.” The
judge can put you in jail for up to one year for even your first DWI.
A DWI can cost more than $10,000 with fines, court costs, interlock fees,
alcohol education fees, higher cost for car insurance, bail money, towing
fees, impound fees, attorney fees, reinstatement fees, etc.
Don’t ever think that if you plead guilty to the judge, you won’t leave the courtroom in handcuffs. It happens!
At your first free visit, our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers will discuss how we will fight to:
- Win your case
- Take steps to keep your driver’s license from being suspended
- Get extra charges dismissed
- Keep charges off your record
- Keep you out of jail
- Keep your fines low
- Arrange payments for fines and costs
Our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers will also give you a reasonable price, with no hidden fees, and set you up on an affordable payment plan with a low down payment (Visa/MasterCard/Discover accepted). We want to help you!
Our NWA DWI Defense Team has 100’s of Five Star Reviews
We are not afraid to take your case to trial. Prosecutors are aware of how hard we fight for our clients.
They often give our clients the best possible deals because:
- they respect our commitment toward our clients, and
- they understand that if they didn’t respect our efforts, they would have to spend a lot of time thoroughly preparing for trial.
Our NWA DWI attorneys' goal is to exceed your expectations. If your case is not winnable, we will minimize the damage for you. We know this is a stressful time for you right now, and we want to fight for you.
Arkansas DWI Penalties
In the state of Arkansas, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08% or higher.
Those convicted of DWI are subject to several severe punishments. The extent of the penalties is dependent on your prior DWI convictions.
The penalties for DWI in Arkansas include:
First-offense DWI:
- 1 day to 1 year in jail,
- Up to a $1,000 fine,
- At least $300 in court costs, and
- Up to 6 months’ driver’s license suspension
Second-offense DWI:
- 7 days to 1 year in jail,
- Up to a $3,000 fine,
- At least $300 in court costs, and
- Up to 24 months’ driver’s license suspension
Third-offense DWI:
- 90 days to 1 year in jail,
- Up to a $5,000 fine,
- At least $300 in court costs, and
- Up to 30 months’ driver’s license suspension
Fourth-offense DWI:
- 1 to 6 years in prison,
- Up to a $5,000 fine,
- At least $300 in court costs, and
- Up to 4 years’ driver’s license revocation
What’s an Underage DUI in AR?
If a person under 21 years of age operates or is in physical control of a vehicle after ingesting alcohol, they can be charged with DUI.
Specifically, A.C.A. § 5-65-303 provides that an underage driver commits this offense when they:
- Are under the influence of alcohol, meaning that their reaction, motor skills, and judgment are even slightly affected by the substance, and their ability to safely operate their car is compromised; or
- Have a blood- or breath- alcohol concentration between .02 and .079.
An underage DUI is an unclassified misdemeanor.
The punishments include:
First offense:
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
- Between $100 and $500 in fines
- Completion of an alcohol and driving education program
Second offense:
- Driver’s license suspension for 1 year
- Between $200 and $1,000 in fines
- At least 30 days of public service work
- Completion of an alcohol and driving education program
Third or subsequent offense:
- Driver’s license revocation for 3 years or until the driver turns 21 years of age (whichever is longer)
- Between $500 and $2,000 in fines
- At least 60 days of public service work
- Completion of an alcohol and driving education program
What’s Arkansas’ Implied Consent Law?
In Arkansas, if a person operates or is in physical control of a vehicle on public roads, they are deemed to have implicitly agreed to be subject to a chemical test to determine alcohol concentration level. The term “deemed” is used because the driver does not have to verbally agree to participate in a blood, urine, or breath test. The mere fact that they are driving on a highway or street allows the law to infer permission was given.
Also, even if the driver is incapable of refusing the test (for instance, if they were unconscious), they are still considered to have implicitly consented to chemical testing. Before law enforcement officials can request that a blood test be administered, they must get a warrant – this requirement applies whether the driver was conscious or unconscious.
The chemical testing requirement applies to underage drivers as well as those 21 years of age and older when:
- They were arrested because of an offense associated with driving while intoxicated or under the influence;
- They caused an accident when driving under the influence or while intoxicated; or
- They were arrested for DUI or DWI, and the officer had reasonable cause to believe they were intoxicated.
Will I Lose My Driver’s License for a DWI in AR?
Under Arkansas Administrative Law, a law enforcement officer must seize the driver’s license of any person arrested for DWI or DUI. The officer will issue a temporary driver’s license, which is valid for 30 days. The driver has 7 days to contest the suspension of their driving privileges. If they do not prevail, their driver’s license will be suspended or revoked for a certain length of time. The suspension/revocation period depends on the driver’s age and the number of previous DWI or DUI convictions.
To have their driving privileges reinstated, they must:
- Complete a Drug and Alcohol Education or treatment program,
- Complete a Victim Impact Panel class
- Install an Ignition Interlock Device (if required)
- Pay a reinstatement fee
- Pass the Arkansas Driver’s License exam (if applicable)
To schedule a free visit, contact us at (479) 235-4600. Affordable payment plans available. Our NWA DWI attorneys want to help you!
Things You May Not Know About an Arkansas DWI
Unless you win your DWI case:
- You may do serious prison/jail time and have a fine, plus court costs, up to around $5,300
- Your driver’s license will be suspended for at least 6 months unless you win the license hearing
- You may have to pay for an IID on your car for a minimum of 6 months unless you win the license hearing
- You will have to do alcohol or substance abuse treatment at your own expense
- Your jail time increases if someone under 16 was in the car at the time of your arrest for your DWI
- You will have to do victim impact panel at your own expense
- You may have a harder time getting, and have to pay more for car, health, and life insurance
- Your college may put you on probation, suspend you, give you community service, etc.
- You may have trouble traveling out of the country, including Canada
- You may have trouble renting a car
- You may have trouble getting a job in the future
- Your credit may be affected
- You may be fired from your current job
What Should I Do Within 7 Days?
You should have been given two pink or blue pieces of paper when you were arrested for DWI/DUI. One of the sheets is your receipt for your driver’s license. The other must be filled out and sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, within seven days of your arrest to request a hearing regarding your driver’s license suspension. Contact our office immediately to set up a free visit so we can help you fight to maintain your driving privileges.
Let Us Help with Your Case
While we cannot guarantee specific results, we can assure you that we will fight to win your case. Whether this is your first or fourth charge of driving while intoxicated, our Northwest Arkansas DWI attorneys can help get the best result for your case.
Contact Norwood & Norwood, P.A.at (479) 235-4600 to schedule a free office visit. Our Northwest Arkansas DWI lawyers are available to answer your call 24/7.

DWI/DUI Case Results
We Can Help You Achieve a Great Outcome
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DWI – BAC .17 Not Guilty
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DWI - Drugs Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .13 Not Guilty
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DWI3 – BAC .19 Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .14 Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .09 Not Guilty
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DWI2 – BAC .15 Not Guilty
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DWI3 – Drugs Not Guilty
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DWI2 – BAC .23 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .19 Not Guilty
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DWI – REFUSAL Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .22% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .11% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .19% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .16% Not Guilty
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DWI2 – BAC .30 Not Guilty
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DWI – Drugs Not Guilty
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DUI – BAC .05 Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .23 Not Guilty
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DWI – VICL Not Guilty
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DWI2 – Drugs Not Guilty
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DWI3 – VICL Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .18 Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .09% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .13% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .11% Not Guilty
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DWI – REFUSAL Not Guilty
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DWI – REFUSAL Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .12% Not Guilty
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DWI – DRUGS Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .09% Not Guilty
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DWI – Refusal Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .14% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .25% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .18% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .17% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .26% Not Guilty
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DWI – DRUGS Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .10% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .12% Not Guilty
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DWI – BAC .18% Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .09 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .07 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .14 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .23 Not Guilty
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Refusal Not Guilty
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Refusal Not Guilty
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Refusal Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .18 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .07 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .13 Not Guilty
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DWI - Drugs Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .17 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .11 Not Guilty
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Refusal Not Guilty
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Refusal Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .07 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .13 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .20 Not Guilty
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DWI - BAC .14 Not Guilty
Opinions that Matter
Hundreds of 5 Star Reviews⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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“CHARGED WITH A DWI AND THEY GOT IT DROPPED! I was initially charged with a DWI and they got it dropped! Norwood & Norwood was great, they acted with great honesty and integrity.”
- Mike -
“Wonderful Attorney! Norwood won my DWI. I am very excited because I can get the blow machine out of my car and I won’t have anything on my record.”
- Sam -
“Found Not Guilty on DWI and No Drug Charges on Record! Norwood did an absolutely amazing job. I was so concerned having 5 charges including Dwi and drugs, but from the beginning everyone worked very hard on this case.”
- David -
“I was charged with a DWI and refusal to take the breath test. Norwood won it all!!!! Everyone in the firm is super friendly and everyone cares about you.”
- Ed -
“Doug Norwood and his firm WON MY DWI. I am so excited. It will save me tons of money on my insurance and in fines and court costs.”
- Andy -
“DWI Drugs case dropped! They got the DWI DROPPED And I only had one traffic charge conviction. I feel this went in my favor for sure.”
- John -
“DWI-Not Guilty! I was facing charges for DWI and Fleeing. The charges were wrong from the beginning and Norwood & Norwood were able to get me completely out of the charges. I was found not guilty at trial.”
- Darin -
“DWI DROPPED! Was arrested for DWI and I was super stressed. I called for an appointment and was able to schedule it that weekend. They gave me their professional advice and let me make the choice. Best of all THEY GOT MY DWI DROPPED!”
- Leigh -
“I was charged with a DWI and multiple other charges and they were incredible at getting my case completely dismissed. They truly have your best interest at heart at Norwood & Norwood.”
- James -
“I was charged with DWI. The State had a very BS case against me. Doug was able to prove that not only was I not intoxicated but the officer shouldn't have ever even arrested me.”
- Ricky -
“Perfect! Won my DL Hearing! I was charged with my 1st DWI when I wasn't even intoxicated! The attorneys were able to prove to Driver Control that I was not intoxicated, and there was no reason to have my license suspended!”
- Jamie -
“Turns out it was better than alright and they ended up winning the case and getting my DWI charge completely dismissed saving me thousands.”
- Chris -
“I was charged with DUI, Minor in Possession, and Reckless driving. I was able to get the Minor in possession and Reckless driving completely dropped. Also, I did not have any jail time or community service.”
- Mike -
“I was arrested for a DWI with my child in the car and I was facing 30 days in jail up to 1 year. I am so happy that Norwood's hard work got rid of some of my charges and I WONT SERVE ANY JAIL TIME.”
- Elizabeth -
“I got into a car accident and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated. Luckily, Norwood was able to get everything dismissed.”
- Jeff -
“I had lots of people refer me here and I’m very happy with their work. I was wrongly arrested on a DWI and was found not guilty.”
- Karen -
“I only have a reckless driving, no jail, no criminal record. Best of all, they have already started to provide advise on expungement since the case is concluded. Absolutely thinking ahead for their clients. I am very thrilled with their service.”
- George -
“My 17 year old son was charged with an offense that could’ve carried jail time and loss of his drivers license. His charges were dropped down to a simple speeding ticket.”
- Carl -
“I got charged with my 3rd DWI in five years and was facing a minimum of 90 days in jail, up to one year in jail. Norwood and Norwood were great. They kept me out of jail entirely right before the holidays.”
- Kasler -
“I was charged with a DWI with a high BAC of .16, but they got the charge dropped! I received minimum fines, and no jail or public service work.”
- Brian -
“Was initially charged with 2 DWI's, only being a month short of each other. Norwood has provided persistence with my cases and have made it to where I will be pleading guilty for one DWI.”
- Ann -
“Had a second offense DWI and was sure I was going to jail. On top of that they found drugs on me. I didn’t do any jail and the drug charg was dismissed.”
- Ken -
“I was charged with a DWI BUT ALL I HAD TO DO WAS PLEA TO A RECKLESS Driving. Doug Norwood and his team did an excellent job defending my case.”
- George -
“Doug Norwood and his firm won my DWI. I am so excited. It will save me tons of money on my insurance and in fines and court costs. Everything about dealing with Doug’s firm has been first-rate. They let me make payments which was very helpful.”
- Andy -
“I was charged with a DWI my sophomore year of College. I was extremely intoxicated and deserved jail time! I hired Norwood to represent me, and that was the smartest decision ever made!”
- Former Client -
“Norwood and Norwood is the best firm I could recommend. I’ve used them numerous times over the years and they have delivered every time. They go above and beyond their legal duty. I was charged with a DWI #3 and didn’t go to jail.”
- Alejandro -
“Did an absolutely amazing job. My husband was so concerned having 5 misdemeanor charges (DWI and Drugs) but from the beginning, they worked very hard on his case.”
- Kristin -
“Norwood & Norwood got my driving on suspended and drug charge dismissed. They also kept me out of jail when I didn't pay my old fines and court costs.”
- Chuck
