Learn your rights and defend yourself! Talk to a DUI Lawyer.
In all of the United States, DUI (driving under the influence) is a criminal offense that involves serious legal consequences. A DUI conviction, even for offenders for the first time, can result in high fines, jail time, probation, license suspension and alcohol education classes.
So, what exactly is "driving under the influence"? Depending on the jurisdiction, DUI can be referred to by different names such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle in a drunken state (OMVI) or driving in a state of drunkenness (also DWI). Texas and New York more commonly refer to drunk drivers as DWI, but other states, such as California, call it DUI.
Although most of us consider driving like exercising control over a car, some jurisdictions may consider it illegal to not only drive on the highway, but also to sit in the driveway with the engine running. Then, depending on your state, DUI can not be limited to a "moving vehicle". Regardless of the name, it is a serious crime in every state.
Many drivers who are arrested for DUI do not take their charges seriously enough. Many drivers try to defend themselves in court without understanding the full legal ramifications of a DUI conviction. If you were arrested for DUI, contact a DUI divorce lawyer. Hiring the right DWI attorney can help you fight your DUI charges.
If you have been arrested for DUI, the consequences and penalties are severe. Did you know that a driving conviction while intoxicated can result in a license suspension, higher insurance premiums, mandatory jail time, mandatory installation of an interlock device and a criminal record? Did you know that a DUI arrest and a DUI conviction can affect your ability to find a job, cause a suspension or revocation of your professional license or threaten other unrelated legal cases, such as a divorce or child custody?
DUI laws and the severity of DUI fines vary by state, but regardless of where you live, it is illegal in all states to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC or blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more. This is called poisoning per se. Law enforcement officers can also arrest you for DUI, regardless of your blood alcohol concentration, if you suspect that you can not operate your vehicle safely and you are a danger to yourself or others.