Arrested for DUI in North Dakota?
Do these things now.
You’ve been released, you have a stack of paperwork, and you’re not sure what happens next. This page walks through the first ten days in order. Some of it is time-sensitive; all of it is manageable.
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Your license is on a separate clock. You have 10 days from the date on your Report and Notice to request a DOT hearing, or the suspension takes effect automatically. How the DOT hearing works →
1. Find the Report and Notice
Among the papers the officer gave you is a form titled Report and Notice. It’s your temporary driving permit and it starts the DOT clock: you have 10 days from the date on it to request an administrative hearing or your license suspension takes effect automatically. Put it somewhere safe and photograph it. What the hearing is and why we request one.
2. Write down what happened
Tonight, while it’s fresh: where you were coming from, what and when you drank or took, the reason the officer gave for the stop, what tests you did and where (gravel? slope? wind?), what you said, whether you asked for a lawyer, and exactly what test you were asked to take and what you answered. This is for your lawyer only.
3. Stop talking about it
Not to friends, not to your employer yet, not to the officer if he calls, and nothing on social media — no jokes, no explanations, no check-ins from the bar the night before. Everything you say can be found and used.
4. Call a DUI lawyer — before your court date, not at it
The most important decisions in a DUI case happen in the first two weeks: requesting the DOT hearing, preserving video that gets overwritten, and getting ahead of the prosecutor. Waiting for the arraignment forfeits most of that. Our consultation is free and someone answers 24/7.
5. Handle the practical things
- Your car — if it was towed, get it out promptly; impound fees run daily.
- Driving — your temporary permit is generally valid for a limited period, then the suspension begins unless a hearing is pending. Know your dates.
- Bond conditions — if you were released with conditions (no alcohol, 24/7 testing), follow them exactly. A violation is its own problem.
- Work — CDL holders and licensed professionals may have reporting obligations. Ask us before you disclose anything.
6. Consider an evaluation now
An addiction evaluation is required after any DUI conviction. Doing it early, voluntarily, is often viewed favorably by prosecutors and judges and costs nothing in the defense. We’ll tell you whether it makes sense in your case.
What happens next: the timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Arrest; Report and Notice issued; temporary permit begins |
| Days 1–10 | Request DOT hearing (deadline); lawyer preserves video and evidence |
| ~2–6 weeks | First court appearance (arraignment); plea of not guilty entered; DOT hearing scheduled |
| 1–3 months | Discovery reviewed; motions to suppress filed where warranted; DOT hearing held |
| 3–9 months | Negotiation, motion hearings, and — if needed — trial |
Most cases resolve without trial. The ones that resolve well are the ones where the defense started in the first ten days.
What to bring to your consultation
The Report and Notice, any citation or complaint, your bond paperwork, your notes from step 2, and your driving record if you have prior offenses anywhere. If you don’t have all of it, call anyway.
Talk to a North Dakota DUI lawyer now. It’s free.
☎ 701-365-8088Common questions
Do I have to go to the arraignment?
Yes, unless your lawyer arranges otherwise. In many North Dakota courts we can appear for you or have it handled on paper for a misdemeanor. Never just skip it.
Should I talk to the prosecutor myself?
No. Anything you say to the prosecutor is evidence, and self-represented people routinely give away defenses in the first conversation.
Can I still drive right now?
Usually yes, on the temporary permit, for the period stated on it. Once that period runs, you need either a pending hearing or a restricted permit to drive legally.
What if I was arrested in North Dakota but live in another state?
We handle these regularly. Most of the case can be managed remotely, and we’ll explain how the North Dakota suspension will be reported to your home state.
Charged with DUI in North Dakota? Call now.
701-365-8088Free consultation · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
West Fargo | Bismarck
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Penalty figures reflect North Dakota mandatory minimums published by the NDDOT and are subject to change; courts can impose more. This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation, and contacting us does not create an attorney–client relationship until we agree to represent you.