Leading Ralston, NE DUI lawyer. Arrested for DUI in or around Ralston, NE? You’re on a fast clock. From the moment those red and blue lights flash, the state is building a case against you — working to suspend your license, pile on penalties, and secure a conviction that follows you for life.
Miltenberger Law Offices is Ralston, NE’s leading DUI defense firm. We don’t wait. We attack. We move immediately to protect your license, scrutinize the traffic stop, dismantle any field sobriety and chemical tests, and build a defense strategy that gives you leverage in court — not the other way around.
Your rights and your future deserve skilled protection. Call (402) 217-2267 or reach out online for a private consultation with a dedicated Ralston, NE DUI attorney who knows how to get results.
How Does the Law Define DUI in Ralston, NE?
In Ralston, NE, a DUI isn’t just about driving drunk. Under Nebraska’s DUI statute § 60-6,196, you can be arrested if police believe you were operating — or had “actual physical control” of — a vehicle while impaired. In other words, being behind the wheel with the keys nearby is enough to trigger a Ralston, NE DUI charge.
Even a first-time DUI in Ralston, NE can lead to:
- Class W Misdemeanor
- SR-22 insurance requirements
- 6-month license suspension
- Up to 60 days in jail
- $500 fine
- Criminal record that impacts housing, employment, and travel
Penalties become far harsher for aggravated DUI charges or repeat offenses. Nebraska also applies a strict 15-year “lookback period” under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,197.02, meaning old DUIs can still elevate new charges to felony-level penalties.
Nebraska’s ALR System: Your License Could Be Gone Before Your First Court Date
When you’re arrested for DUI in Ralston, NE, there are actually two battles happening at the same time, and one starts almost instantly:
- 1. Your criminal DUI case in court
- 2. The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case with the Nebraska DMV
The ALR process moves rapidly. You have just 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing or your license will be automatically suspended, even if your criminal DUI charge is later dismissed. This is why immediate legal action is crucial.
We take over immediately to stop the automatic suspension, contest the officer’s paperwork, and protect your ability to drive. We know exactly how the DMV’s ALR process works and how to challenge it effectively.
Our experienced DUI attorneys in Ralston, NE defend both sides of your DUI case and fight to secure the best outcome possible.
Our Ralston, NE DUI Defense Playbook
The state often builds its case on assumptions and shortcuts. We don’t let them. At Miltenberger Law Offices, every Ralston DUI defense begins with evidence, science, and a customized plan built around the unique facts of your arrest. No two DUI cases in the Ralston, NE area are alike, which is why we craft a defense based on what actually happened, not what the citation claims. Key areas we analyze include:
1. The Stop
We look closely at how the stop actually happened in the Ralston, NE area:
- Did the officer have legal grounds to pull you over?
- Were lane-use observations or equipment violations documented correctly?
- Does bodycam or dashcam footage contradict the officer’s report?
- Did the officer stop you without proper reasonable suspicion?
If the stop wasn’t lawful, everything that happened afterward, including breath or blood tests, can be thrown out.
2. Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)
You are not legally required to take a FST in Ralston or anywhere else in Nebraska. If you do take one, we examine whether:
- The instructions for these standardized tests (HGN, Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand) were explained correctly and administered by the book
- Whether uneven pavement, cold weather, poor footwear, physical limitations, or medical issues skewed your performance
- The officer used non-standardized tests (counting, alphabet backwards, touching nose, etc.) to justify arrest
Most FSTs fail because they are subjective, not because a driver is impaired. We expose that.
3. Chemical (Blood & Breath) Testing
Blood and breath tests aren’t bulletproof. They only hold up if police and lab techs follow every rule perfectly in Ralston, NE, and that rarely happens. We dig into issues such as:
- Whether the breath machine was properly calibrated and maintained
- If the officer correctly followed all Title 177 testing protocols
- Medical factors — including GERD, diabetes, dental issues, or medications — that can skew results
- Breaks or mistakes in the chain of custody for blood and urine
- Lab errors, improper storage, and potential contamination
Chemical tests are one of the easiest parts of a Ralston, NE DUI case to attack — and when they fall apart, so does the prosecution’s case.
4. Statements & Procedure in Ralston, NE
Your words can be used against you, but only if obtained lawfully. We assess:
- Whether Miranda warnings and implied-consent advisements were properly given
- Any coercion or confusion in requests to test?
- Whether officers complied with statutory and departmental procedures from start to finish
When police cut corners, your statements and other evidence can be suppressed, dramatically weakening the prosecution’s case.
5. Mitigation & Outcome
Even when the evidence looks tough, we can often soften or avoid the damage. We help our Ralston, NE clients take proactive steps that improve outcomes, including:
- Completing alcohol classes or First Offender programs
- Early ignition interlock installation to demonstrate responsibility
- Ralston, NE community service options
- Treatment programs that show responsibility and reduce penalties
- Presenting character, employment, and hardship documentation for sentencing advocacy.
We aren’t just fighting your Ralston, NE DUI charge — we’re protecting your reputation, future, and ability to move forward.

Our Step-by-Step DUI Defense Strategy in Ralston, NE
When you hire Miltenberger Law Offices, you’re not getting an Ralston, NE DUI lawyer who simply “shows up” in court. No, you’re getting a strategic defense team that knows exactly how to dismantle a DUI case in Ralston, NE from the inside out. DUI charges are built on procedures, timing, and evidence, and the truth is this: if even one part of the state’s case was handled incorrectly, we will find it and use it to your advantage.
Our proven, step-by-step DUI defense system in Ralston, NE focuses on rapid action, immediate license protection, and aggressive evidence review. From the moment you bring us onto your case, every move we make is intentional — designed to weaken the state’s case, strengthen your defenses, and place you in the best position for dismissal, reduction, or a significantly minimized penalty.
Step 1: Immediate Intake & License Protection in Ralston, NE
We evaluate your citation, test results, and any video evidence, then file the necessary paperwork to challenge your license suspension within Nebraska’s strict 10-day deadline. We also advise you on interlock options to keep you legally driving while your case proceeds.
Step 2: Ralston, NE Deep-Dive Evidence Analysis & Investigation
We demand police reports, video, calibration logs, medical records (if relevant), and lab documentation. Where necessary, we work with forensic specialists and former law enforcement trainers to break down weak police procedures.
Step 3: Strategic Motions Practice in Ralston, NE
This is where many Ralston, NE DUI cases turn. Skillful motion practice can cripple the state’s case before we even reach negotiations. We may file motions to:
- Suppress the stop
- Suppress any FST evidence
- Exclude chemical test results
- Expose broken chain of custody procedures
- Remove sentence-enhancing factors such as high BAC or prior DUIs
Step 4: Negotiation vs. Trial Preparation
Every DUI case we handle in Ralston, NE is built as if it will go all the way to trial. That reputation matters. Prosecutors offer better deals to defense teams they know can beat them in court, meaning more reductions, more dismissals, more diversion, and more opportunities to walk away without a DUI on your record. And if your best shot is a jury trial? We go in relentlessly, fully prepared, and ready to win.
Take Control of Your Future — Call an Ralston, NE DUI Lawyer at Miltenberger Law Offices Right Away
A DUI charge in Ralston, NE is a serious moment, but it’s not the end of your story. With the right defense team behind you, you can protect your rights, limit the consequences, and take control of what happens next. Our Ralston, NE DUI attorneys bring the experience, precision, and urgency needed to stand between you and a conviction.
The sooner you get us involved, the stronger your defense becomes. Reach out now or call (402) 217-2267 to speak with a dedicated Ralston, NE DUI lawyer and start turning your situation around today.