Driving Under the Influence

Some states may call it driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), or operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), but regardless of where you do it or what you call it, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense.

Indeed, it is illegal to operate any type of vehicle if your driving abilities are impaired due to alcohol consumption or drug use—even if the drugs in question are over-the-counter or prescribed medications. In addition, “per se” laws make driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08% illegal, regardless of whether your driving abilities are impaired. Due to Zero Tolerance laws, drivers under the age of 21 can even be charged with DUI if they have even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system.

In other words, if you are driving recklessly, and display signs of intoxication—such as slurring your speech—you can be charged with DUI, even if your BAC is well below the legal limit of .08%. On the other hand, you can be driving perfectly, and show no signs of intoxication, but if your BAC is above .08%, you can still be charged with a DUI per se violation.

If an officer suspects you are driving under the influence, he or she may ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests, such as balancing on one foot or walking an invisible straight line, to determine whether you are intoxicated. In addition, he or she may also ask you to take a breath, blood, or urine test in order to determine your BAC.

Although field sobriety tests are voluntary in most states, each state has implied consent laws that require drivers to submit to testing if an officer requests any type of alcohol test.  As a result, if you refuse testing, your license will automatically be suspended. In some cases, the penalties for refusing an alcohol test can actually be more severe than failing one.

In addition to losing your license, if you are convicted of driving under the influence, you may be sentenced to probation, community service, or even jail time. Additional penalties may also apply if you were operating a commercial vehicle or had a child in your car. If you have previous DUIs on your record, you can also expect more severe punishments.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is important to seek help from a skilled legal professional immediately after your arrest. Don’t let one mistake jeopardize your future. Contact a DUI attorney in your area today to discuss your case.

States and Cities:
AK	Alaska, Anchorage	LA	Louisiana, New Orleans	OH	Ohio, Cincinnati
AL	Alabama, Montgomery	MA	Massachusetts, Boston	OK	Oklahoma, Tulsa
AR	Arkansas, Little Rock	MD	Maryland, Baltimore	OR	Oregon, Portland
AZ	Arizona, Phoenix	ME	Maine, Portland	PA	Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
CA	California, Los Angeles	MI	Michigan, Detroit	RI	Rhode Island, Providence
CO	Colorado, Denver	MN	Minnesota, Duluth	SC	South Carolina, Charleston
CT	Connecticut, Hartford	MO	Missouri, Branson	SD	South Dakota, Sioux Falls
DE	Delaware, Wilmington	MS	Mississippi, Jackson	TN	Tennessee, Nashville
FL	Florida, Orlando	MT	Montana, Bozeman	TX	Texas, Houston
GA	Georgia, Atlanta	NC	North Carolina, Charoltte	UT	Utah, Salt Lake City
HI	Hawaii, Honolulu	ND	North Dakota, Fargo	VT	Vermont, Burlington
IA	Iowa, Des Moines	NE	Nebraska, Omaha	VA	Virginia, Richmond
ID	Idaho, Boise	NH	New Hampshire, Portsmouth	WA	Washington, Seattle
IL	Illinois, Chicago	NJ	New Jersey, Newark	WI	Wisconsin, Milwaukee
IN	Indiana, Indianapolis	NM	New Mexico, Albuquerque	WV	West Virginia, Charleston
KS	Kansas, Kansas City	NV	Nevada, Las Vegas	WY	Wyoming, Cheyenne
KY	Kentucky, Lexington	NY	New York, New York	DC	Washington DC