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Drunk driving is taken seriously in Vicente López, a municipality in the Province of Buenos Aires. Laws and enforcement combine national traffic legislation, provincial rules and local municipal ordinances. Driving under the influence can trigger administrative sanctions - like fines, license suspension and vehicle immobilization - and in more serious cases can lead to criminal charges when there is bodily harm or death. Police and traffic agents routinely use breathalyzer devices at checkpoints and after traffic stops, and positive tests or refusal to cooperate can start a legal process.
Even a first-time drunk driving matter can have consequences that affect your freedom, finances and ability to work. You may need a lawyer when:
- You received a positive breathalyzer or blood-alcohol test and face administrative sanctions or fines.
- You are accused of causing an accident while allegedly intoxicated and there are injuries or fatalities - this can lead to criminal charges such as "lesiones culposas" or "homicidio culposo."
- You refused a breathalyzer or other test and the authorities initiated sanctions for refusal.
- Your driver license was suspended or your vehicle was immobilized and you need help to recover driving privileges.
- You want to prepare a defense, challenge the reliability of tests or the legality of the stop, or negotiate alternatives like traffic-safety courses or plea agreements.
- You need representation at hearings before municipal traffic tribunals, provincial courts or criminal courts.
Key points to understand about drunk driving law applicable in Vicente López:
- Applicable laws - National Law 24.449 and its regulatory framework set basic rules on road safety; the Province of Buenos Aires and the Municipality of Vicente López implement and enforce traffic rules locally. This means local traffic regulations, police practice and municipal tribunals play a central role.
- Breathalyzer and blood tests - Authorities commonly use roadside breathalyzers; more precise blood tests can be ordered, especially in serious accidents. Refusal to submit to testing may result in administrative penalties and can be used against you in subsequent proceedings.
- Blood-alcohol thresholds - Thresholds can vary by category of driver. Many jurisdictions use a threshold around 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood for general drivers, while lower or zero limits often apply to professional drivers, novice drivers and drivers of public transport. Exact numbers and categories should be confirmed with local counsel because rules and enforcement practices change.
- Administrative vs criminal regime - Administrative procedures handled by municipal authorities or provincial agencies often lead to fines, license suspension and vehicle immobilization. Criminal prosecution may follow when intoxicated driving causes serious injury or death, or where aggravating facts exist. Criminal cases are handled in provincial criminal courts and can carry custodial sentences in serious cases.
- Procedural rights - If stopped, you should be informed of the reason for the stop. You have rights to legal assistance and to medical attention if needed. Statements to police can be relevant in later proceedings, so consider seeking counsel before making admissions.
- Evidence and challenges - Lawyers may challenge the legality of a stop, the correct use and calibration of breathalyzers, chain of custody for blood tests, or procedural defects in administrative hearings.
Stay calm, provide requested identification and vehicle documents. You must comply with lawful orders from police or traffic agents. You can ask if you are free to leave. If you are detained, request a lawyer and avoid making self-incriminating statements. If required to take a breathalyzer or other test, be aware that refusal can have consequences; consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Refusing a breathalyzer or blood test may lead to administrative sanctions similar to those for a positive test, such as fines and license suspension, and may be used against you in criminal proceedings. The exact legal effect of refusal depends on the circumstances and local practice. Talk with a lawyer promptly to understand the likely consequences and possible defenses.
Penalties vary depending on the situation. Administrative penalties commonly include fines, temporary or long-term license suspension and vehicle immobilization. If driving under the influence caused injury or death, criminal charges can result in heavier penalties, including imprisonment. Penalties depend on prior record, BAC level, presence of aggravating factors and whether harm occurred.
Most routine positive tests result in administrative proceedings before municipal or provincial authorities that impose fines and suspensions. If an accident caused injury or death, or if other aggravating circumstances exist, prosecutors may bring criminal charges. It is possible to face both administrative and criminal processes arising from the same incident.
A lawyer can help challenge procedural errors, present mitigation arguments and represent you at hearings to seek reduced sanctions or quicker reinstatement. The speed of recovery depends on the facts, type of sanction, and applicable procedures. In some cases it is possible to obtain provisional measures or negotiate alternatives that shorten the suspension period.
Costs vary by lawyer experience, complexity of the case and whether the matter is administrative or criminal. Some lawyers charge fixed fees for administrative representation and hourly or case-based fees for criminal defense. Ask potential lawyers for a clear fee estimate and what services are included before you agree to representation.
Common defenses include contesting the legality of the stop, challenging breathalyzer calibration or administration, questioning chain of custody and validity of blood tests, and demonstrating procedural errors in the administrative process. In criminal matters, defenses focus on lack of causation, questioning the degree of impairment, or the presence of reasonable doubt about the facts.
Notify your insurer promptly and provide truthful, limited information. Preserve evidence - photos, witness names, medical records. Civil claims for damages are separate from administrative and criminal processes and may be brought by injured parties. A lawyer can coordinate defense in all types of proceedings and advise on settlement options with insurers and claimants.
Not all drunk driving incidents result in a criminal conviction. Administrative sanctions do not create criminal records, but if prosecutors file criminal charges and you are convicted, that can produce a criminal record. The risk depends on the facts, whether harm occurred and prosecutorial decisions.
Look for lawyers experienced in traffic law and criminal defense within the Province of Buenos Aires. Ask about relevant experience with municipal traffic tribunals, breathalyzer and forensic evidence, and criminal courts. Request references and a clear fee structure. Local bar associations and community legal services can provide referrals.
Municipality of Vicente López - Area of Mobility and Transit - municipal offices that handle local traffic controls and administrative procedures.
Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Vial - national agency that sets policies and guidance on road safety and testing standards.
Ministerio Público Fiscal de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - public prosecutors office that handles criminal prosecutions in the province.
Dirección Provincial de Política y Seguridad Vial - provincial office responsible for traffic policy and enforcement standards.
Local Juzgados de Faltas - municipal tribunals that adjudicate administrative traffic matters in Vicente López.
Local Colegio de Abogados - provincial and municipal bar associations for referrals to qualified traffic and criminal defense lawyers.
If you need legal assistance for a drunk driving matter in Vicente López, consider the following steps:
- Preserve documents and evidence - keep police reports, test results, photos, medical records and any correspondence you receive from authorities.
- Do not delay - administrative deadlines and criminal investigation steps move quickly. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
- Choose the right lawyer - seek a lawyer with experience in traffic law and criminal defense in Buenos Aires Province. Ask about past outcomes and strategies for similar cases.
- Follow legal advice about statements, tests and court appearances - your lawyer will advise whether to contest tests, request independent analysis or negotiate mitigation.
- Prepare for hearings - gather witness names, documentation about your driving history, and evidence that may mitigate sanctions, such as proof of employment obligations, family needs or completion of traffic-safety courses.
- Consider alternatives - in some cases, negotiated outcomes, educational programs or community service may reduce penalties. A lawyer can explain options and likely results.
Every case is different. Early legal advice improves the chance of a better outcome, protects procedural rights and helps you understand the range of possible results under local practice in Vicente López and Buenos Aires Province.
