DUI Lawyers in the USA
Some states now have two statutory offenses. The first is the traditional offense, variously called driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). The second and more recent is the so-called illegal per se offense of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% (previously 0.10%) or higher. The first offense requires proof of intoxication, although evidence of BAC is admissible as rebuttably presumptive evidence of that intoxication; the second requires only proof of BAC at the time of being in physical control of a motor vehicle. An accused may be convicted of both offenses, but may only be punished for one.
It is also a criminal offense in all states to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs DUID, or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs; the drugs themselves need not be illegal, but can be prescription or even over-the-counter. In some states, the effects of some herbal remedies (such as Kava Kava extract) fall into this category. This offense requires evidence of impairment as a result of the drugs or drugs and alcohol, although some states have passed laws making driving with the mere presence of certain drugs a criminal offense.
Some states hand out a "lesser" charge of driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. Then, other states they limit this offense to drivers under the age of 21. All of the states in the U.S. have zero tolerance laws. What that means is that the license of anyone under 21 driving with a BAC of .01% or higher (.02% in some states) will be suspended. The blood-alcohol limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%. Commercial drivers are also subject to stricter punishments for exceeding the blood-alcohol limit.
Aircraft pilots or commercial bus drivers might not fly or drive their vehicles less than 8 hours after consuming alcohol, while under the impairing influence of alcohol or some other drug, or while showing a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.04 grams per decilitre of blood. Usually, no one checks, but that's another story.
The various versions of "driving under the influence" generally amount to a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail. However, the offense could be elevated to a felony, punishable by a longer stretch in state prison if the incident caused serious bodily injury where its called a felony DUI, death (vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide -- my uncle caught one of these for a year), or extensive property damage (a state specified dollar amount) or if the defendant has a designated number of prior DUI convictions within a given time period (commonly, 3 prior convictions within 7 years). However, California, which is being followed by a growing number of the states, now charges 2nd-degree murder where the legal state of mind of malice exists"that is, where the defendant exhibited a reckless indifference to the lives of others. Wow, that could get you life! - 21393
It is also a criminal offense in all states to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs DUID, or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs; the drugs themselves need not be illegal, but can be prescription or even over-the-counter. In some states, the effects of some herbal remedies (such as Kava Kava extract) fall into this category. This offense requires evidence of impairment as a result of the drugs or drugs and alcohol, although some states have passed laws making driving with the mere presence of certain drugs a criminal offense.
Some states hand out a "lesser" charge of driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. Then, other states they limit this offense to drivers under the age of 21. All of the states in the U.S. have zero tolerance laws. What that means is that the license of anyone under 21 driving with a BAC of .01% or higher (.02% in some states) will be suspended. The blood-alcohol limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%. Commercial drivers are also subject to stricter punishments for exceeding the blood-alcohol limit.
Aircraft pilots or commercial bus drivers might not fly or drive their vehicles less than 8 hours after consuming alcohol, while under the impairing influence of alcohol or some other drug, or while showing a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.04 grams per decilitre of blood. Usually, no one checks, but that's another story.
The various versions of "driving under the influence" generally amount to a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail. However, the offense could be elevated to a felony, punishable by a longer stretch in state prison if the incident caused serious bodily injury where its called a felony DUI, death (vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide -- my uncle caught one of these for a year), or extensive property damage (a state specified dollar amount) or if the defendant has a designated number of prior DUI convictions within a given time period (commonly, 3 prior convictions within 7 years). However, California, which is being followed by a growing number of the states, now charges 2nd-degree murder where the legal state of mind of malice exists"that is, where the defendant exhibited a reckless indifference to the lives of others. Wow, that could get you life! - 21393
About the Author:
Neal Spoton constructed an internet resource for D.U.I. legal services after 16 years as an D.U.I. lawyer. Think you need some inside information to figure out your own D.U.I. or D.U.I.D situation? Click Right Here on D.U.I. Attorney.
posted by X - Men @ 1:09 AM
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