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 also include a lesser charge of driving with a BAC of 0.05%; other states limit this offense to drivers under the age of 21. All states also now have zero tolerance laws: 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 eight hours after consuming alcohol, while under the impairing influence of alcohol or any 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 DUI generally amount to a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. However, the offense may 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!
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 also include a lesser charge of driving with a BAC of 0.05%; other states limit this offense to drivers under the age of 21. All states also now have zero tolerance laws: 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 eight hours after consuming alcohol, while under the impairing influence of alcohol or any 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 DUI generally amount to a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. However, the offense may 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!
About the Author:
Neal Spoton let loose a Website for D.U.I. attorney 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? Just click on D.U.I. Attorney.
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