DUI Lawyer

WHAT IS DUI ?
Driving under the Influence of alcohol or drugs, counting prescription drugs, (also known as DUI and, in some states, DWI) is a serious criminal offense that can lead to devastating consequences. The circumstances under which many people find themselves driving under the influence can vary; however, it is important to note that complete intoxication is not a requirement for being charged with a DUI. This is why the term "Drunk Driving" is so often used incorrectly as one does not need to be "drunk" to commit a DUI but only ‘under the influence' of alcohol or a controlled substance. Driving is a skill which requires concentration and coordination, and on many levels the task cannot be performed correctly by people impaired, even a little, by alcohol or drugs. Any level of alcohol or drugs in a person's body that prevents him or her from thinking plainly, seeing properly, or reacting normally is potentially enough for a person to be charged with DUI.

To decide whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, law enforcement officers often conduct Field Sobriety Tests. These may include the finger to nose test, walk and turn test and raised leg stand test. Portable breathalyzers are another tool used by law enforcement to determine a person's level of intoxication. All states in the U.S. have set standards for the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) threshold (most states currently use .08% BAC) at which a driver is considered per se DUI. In many cases violations of the DUI laws include mandatory minimum jail sentences. If a person is charged with a DUI, the penalties vary depending on circumstances: whether it is a first time offense, the level of impairment or intoxication, and if anyone was injured. In the case of drivers under the age of 21, most states have a near zero tolerance for any concentration of alcohol in the blood (in most states .02% BAC is per se DUI for a minor). In these cases, the penalties and fines are more complicated. While DUI laws vary from state to state, the personal consequences of getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs may include driver’s license suspension, fines, jail time, imposed community service, mandatory driving school, and possible medical treatment or counseling is required for repeat offenders. Repeat offenders also risk escalating jail sentences, fines and license suspension time in addition to the possibility of a felony charge for multiple DUI violations.

An accident caused by driving under the influence may also have civil and legal consequences that place responsibility on the driver for any damages that occur. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of bodily injury or even death. A minor DUI offense is easily elevated to a felony, which is punishable by longer jail time and higher fines, if the incident caused serious injury, death, or extensive property damage. A DUI violation can be costly in the short term because of fines, court costs and DUI Lawyer fees, but if compensation is involved those costs can escalate exponentially.

The long-term consequences of driving under the influence include increased rates and/or loss of car insurance, restricted or suspended driving privileges, loss of trust from family and friends, and loss of a job due to jail time or criminal record. The act of getting behind the wheel of a car under the influence is not just a decision that affects the driver; it has a rippling effect on the community at large. Facing a DUI charge is stressful, humiliating, and can impose a permanent criminal record that will follow the driver for the rest of his or her life; a DUI conviction is something that may never go away.