Across the USA, the most common crime booked in a year, by far, is DUI. Driving while intoxicated is no minor matter. A person can get anything from a warning to jail time. DUI can start as a misdemeanor and escalate into a felonious crime by degree; however, no matter what degree of culpability you face, DUI can turn your world upside-down.
Nearly 1.4 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs every year. While this is a serious charge, if you are arrested for a DUI you have rights that you need to protect. DUI comes under criminal law. Besides hefty fines, alcohol programs and community service, you might also get a serious punishment like jail term. Taking the right steps after DUI arrest, is the only way to get out of trouble.
All about DUI Laws:
The DUI laws have a commonality in the following areas. DUI starts under between .08 to .10 blood alcohol levels, and then kicks into DUI at between .08 to .10 blood alcohol levels. These levels are doubly indemnifying for all drivers in the US less than 21 years of age. Depending on the state, a person may have their driver's license suspended any length of time from seven days to three years. Fines for DUI across the country range from $250.00 to $2500.00.
The punishment depends on factors like:
State where you were arrested
If you refused to take a BAC level test
What was your BAC level
If this is the first time you have been caught
If there were children with you in the vehicle or in the vicinity
If you were caught speeding
If there was any accident, damage or injury involved
According to DUI laws, the legal consequences of the offense can be:
License revocation or suspension: This punishment is regardless of the criminal charges you might face under DUI laws. In 41 states and District of Columbia there are administrative license suspension laws. Under these laws, if the driver fails or refuses to take a chemical test, his license is taken away before conviction.
Ignition interlocks: Some states allow offenders to drive only if their vehicles are equipped with ignition interlocks. This gadget looks for traces of alcohol in driver's breath and upon confirmation, it shuts down the ignition.
Vehicle seizure: In some states, drunk driving may entail seizure of the vehicle.
Fines: They vary from state to state. Fines can be anywhere between $200 to $2000 and onwards.
Jail: Repeat offenders are more at risk of inviting a jail term. But that does not mean that a first timer is safe from it as a lot depends on how serious his cases is.
Other punishments include mandatory attendance at alcohol education programs and community service.
If you are arrested for DUI, then hiring a DUI lawyer proves to be the best decision. Driving under the influence can have serious consequences on you if you are involved in a car accident. You may face consequences like jail or prison, penalties or fines, vehicle impoundments, etc. The DUI lawyer is familiar with the intricacies and procedures involved with DUI charges and are your best bet if you find yourself in such a predicament.
Related Articles
Do I Need A DUI Lawyer?
By: Gray Rollins | 02/02/2006 | Law
You've been arrested on a DUI charge. Now what do you do? Although most people will recommend that you hire a lawyer to represent your best interests many people do not do so, often because of shame and embarrassment.
What It The Penalty For A DUI?
By: Gray Rollins | 03/04/2006 | Law
DUI Penalties It is important to protect yourself from arrests due to driving under the influence. The best possible way to avoid this is to not get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking.
Arrested for a California Dui. Now What?
By: andy taylor | 25/03/2008 | Law
How Much Will a California DUI Conviction Cost Me?
Importantance of Choosing a Good Dui Lawyer
By: andy taylor | 28/11/2007 | Law
Tips to Help Avoid DUI Conviction
Your Rights in a Dui
By: andy taylor | 03/01/2008 | Law
Your DUI rights are important – they are designed to prevent you from being charged falsely. In order to properly discuss your DUI rights, you should contact an attorney who specializes in DUI laws to help you.
6 Ways to Stop Drunk Driving
By: Maria Palma | 16/03/2008 | Culture
Drunk driving has been an ongoing issue not only the U.S., but in many areas around the world. Various organizations have tried different things to prevent drunk driving, but this problem keeps going on and on.
What are the Legal Prices of Dui?
By: andy taylor | 15/01/2008 | Law
A dangerous trend that takes lives, invites stiff fines, punishment and penalties. An officer can charge you under the DUI laws if you violate traffic rules. The violations may range weaving, swerving, and drifting to braking erratically.
Your Auto Insurance and a California Dui
By: andy taylor | 09/04/2008 | Law
According information given by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as of January 1, 2007, if you request an out-of-house / public driving record printout, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Fines have to be payed after doing jail time
By: taz s gurl forever | 20-07-2008
if choosing to jail time for a dwi arrest in wicomico county and probation is violated do court costs and fines have to be payed?
Do i lose my cdl for life if i got my 3rd dwi in ...
By: chris | 19-07-2008
do i lose my cdl for life if i got my 3rd dwi in five years in minnesota??
If I've had a dui about 5 years ago, can I cross ...
By: Jeff | 18-07-2008
If I've had a dui about 5 years ago, can I cross into Canada? what kind of fee or waiver will I have to pay?
Frame
By: rod | 18-07-2008
i need a frame for a 1989 case 385 the main frame
DUI Diversion Program + Expunged Records
By: News4me | 16-07-2008
Is it beneficial to have my records expunged if I am in the diversion program for a DUI? After completion of the diversion program, I will not be charged for a DUI. Thanks!
DUI then and now
By: Nini | 15-07-2008
How do DUI's in the 1950's compare to today? Are there more convictions today and are there as many death related DUI today as there were then?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Law Articles
How to Get a Fair Insurance Settlement
By: Mark Decherd | 24/07/2008
No matter what has damaged your home, if it's covered by your insurance policy, you can rest easy knowing that it will be taken care of - or can you?
California Supreme Court Makes Confidentiality of Mediation Proceedings Iron Clad
By: Elizabeth A Moreno | 24/07/2008
The California Supreme Court, in Simmons v. Ghaderi (July 21, 2008), has hammered in the last nail and has made confidentiality of mediation proceedings iron clad. The court held that there can be NO implied waiver of mediation confidentiality. An oral settlement agreement that is not in writing, signed by the parties and where there is no express waiver of mediation confidentiality, is not admissible and will not be upheld in court.
Free Divorce Records Search: Can You Search for Copies of Public Divorce Records for Free?
By: Chad Kiser | 24/07/2008
It is possible to find free divorce records if you are looking for records from a long time ago. Until the 19th century, divorce was almost unheard of. If in fact you are seeking divorce records that you know date back this far, you may be able to find them using sites like Ancestry and RootsWeb.
Patent License Agreements
By: Mark Warner | 23/07/2008
A patent license agreement has become a valuable and trusted technique for companies to share knowledge in a protected way. No company wants to invest time and money in an invention, only to give it away without the prospect of compensation. Thus, the patent license agreement was created. It is...
Three Deadly Sins That Can Ruin a Mold Case
By: Jonathan Cooper | 23/07/2008
This article discusses the importance of appropriate mold testing and allergy testing to mold claims from the vantage point of the property owner and the personal injury plaintiff.
Finding the Best Virginia Personal Injury Attorney for Your Accident Case
By: Benjamin Glass | 23/07/2008
If you've been injured in a car accident in Virginia you may find the choices of attorney to be daunting. Having a hard time differentiating one from another? Follow this simple check list of steps to finding the right Virginia accident attorney for your case.
Easy Ways to Find Best Trainee Solicitor Jobs
By: Tomer Harel | 23/07/2008
Choosing the best trainee solicitor jobs tips and guidelines.
Just Versus Petty Suits in Pennsylvania
By: Art Gib | 22/07/2008
Do you really know the consequences of going to court? The decision might affect more lives than your own.
More from andy taylor
Drunk Driving - Drunk Driving Facts
By: andy taylor | 14/07/2008 | National, State, Local
The facts about driving drunk include consideration of consequences
Dui Charges
By: andy taylor | 09/06/2008 | National, State, Local
The penalties for DUI / DAI / DWI convictions vary according to many factors, depending on the blood alcohol level, the number of prior convictions, the age of the accused (in the case of underage drinking), and the status of the driver's license at the time of the arrest.
A Staggering Statistics of Teenage Drunk Driving
By: andy taylor | 25/05/2008 | National, State, Local
Statistics show that approximately 70% of all teenagers drink alcohol, including 1 out of 10 children between the ages of 12 and 13.
Astonishing Drunk Driving Facts
By: andy taylor | 08/05/2008 | Law
As per studies carried out by NHTSA in 2006, Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents under influence of alcohol kill someone every 31 minutes and injure someone every two minutes in US alone.
What it Mean by a Las Vegas Dui Citation?
By: andy taylor | 06/05/2008 | Law
Today, it is not necessary that a person be drunk to receive a las vegas DUI citation.
5 Things Every Driver Should Know About Dui
By: andy taylor | 06/05/2008 | Law
5 Things Every Driver Should Know about DUI
Mother Against Drunk Driving(madd): is it Neo-prohibitionist?
By: andy taylor | 03/05/2008 | Law
MADD’s Goal: Is it Neo-Prohibitionist?
Your Auto Insurance and a California Dui
By: andy taylor | 09/04/2008 | Law
According information given by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as of January 1, 2007, if you request an out-of-house / public driving record printout, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date.
Law 
