It is an all too common scenario. You and co-workers stop after work for a get together and have a couple drinks, and even though you do not feel impaired when leaving you find yourself being pulled over and charged with DWI ( Driving While Intoxicated). State laws have, with pressure from groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers), tightened up on the law for DWI offenders with an additional boost to the revenue.
Drunk drivers are involved in more fatal accidents, so states don't make much difference in treatment of those that have a couple drinks after work and those that are alcoholics that down a twelve pack every night after work. You will both have to pay an attorney the same costs and you are both subject to the same penalties, jail time and fines, especially on first offenses.
Bar owners saw their business almost disintegrate when most states lowered the BAC or blood alcohol content to .08. This is the equivalent of two beers in one hour or less for most people. Legal fees can cost quite a bit and that doesn't count mandatory SATOP classes, which can run a couple hundred and then there are mandatory administrative suspensions of your license for thirty days or more, BEFORE you ever go to court and are found guilty.
Even though alcohol is legal and you can buy it if you are old enough, you still will have to suffer tougher consequences for drinking than you would for another substance like marijuana. You will also have higher defense costs than a drug user and this is especially true if you are just a social drinker and are unlucky enough to get caught.
Such cases may fall under the DUI charge, which is driving under the influence. Most states define a DUI as being when it is obvious to the police you have consumed alcohol, but your BAC test does not exceed the 0.08% limit. The police are allowed to charge you with a DUI if they can just smell alcohol on your breath and that basically means that just one sip of a drink can result in the hassles, expenses and license suspensions that every heavy drinker gets when they are pulled over and caught drinking and driving.
Thought and risk associated with the new stricter laws makes people withdraw from any social settings such as a simple drink with dinner or stopping for a visit at a bar for a birthday. People are staying home and having a drink rather than risk being caught.
Somebody would need to take them home and not partake in any festivities, so most drinkers don't want to pressure their friends into NOT drinking at a friend's birthday or bachelorette party, because it doesn't seem fair, so they don't go. If you are a drinker, this is something you need to accept with the DWI laws that exist.
If you are reading this article, then you have every right to be concerned if you already have a DWI or DUI on your record. Unfortunately, the best advice that can be offered is to prepare for tough financial times, since you will spending a lot of money even before you are possibly found guilty in court, Also keep in mind that the mandatory driver's license suspension doesn't have anything to do with the outcome of the court's verdict. In fact, almost every state will immediately suspend your driving privileges and that for at least 30 days. However, a good lawyer can help you to get a hardship license and may even save you from a jail sentence, paying an expensive find and losing your driver's license for one year.
Drunk drivers are involved in more fatal accidents, so states don't make much difference in treatment of those that have a couple drinks after work and those that are alcoholics that down a twelve pack every night after work. You will both have to pay an attorney the same costs and you are both subject to the same penalties, jail time and fines, especially on first offenses.
Bar owners saw their business almost disintegrate when most states lowered the BAC or blood alcohol content to .08. This is the equivalent of two beers in one hour or less for most people. Legal fees can cost quite a bit and that doesn't count mandatory SATOP classes, which can run a couple hundred and then there are mandatory administrative suspensions of your license for thirty days or more, BEFORE you ever go to court and are found guilty.
Even though alcohol is legal and you can buy it if you are old enough, you still will have to suffer tougher consequences for drinking than you would for another substance like marijuana. You will also have higher defense costs than a drug user and this is especially true if you are just a social drinker and are unlucky enough to get caught.
Such cases may fall under the DUI charge, which is driving under the influence. Most states define a DUI as being when it is obvious to the police you have consumed alcohol, but your BAC test does not exceed the 0.08% limit. The police are allowed to charge you with a DUI if they can just smell alcohol on your breath and that basically means that just one sip of a drink can result in the hassles, expenses and license suspensions that every heavy drinker gets when they are pulled over and caught drinking and driving.
Thought and risk associated with the new stricter laws makes people withdraw from any social settings such as a simple drink with dinner or stopping for a visit at a bar for a birthday. People are staying home and having a drink rather than risk being caught.
Somebody would need to take them home and not partake in any festivities, so most drinkers don't want to pressure their friends into NOT drinking at a friend's birthday or bachelorette party, because it doesn't seem fair, so they don't go. If you are a drinker, this is something you need to accept with the DWI laws that exist.
If you are reading this article, then you have every right to be concerned if you already have a DWI or DUI on your record. Unfortunately, the best advice that can be offered is to prepare for tough financial times, since you will spending a lot of money even before you are possibly found guilty in court, Also keep in mind that the mandatory driver's license suspension doesn't have anything to do with the outcome of the court's verdict. In fact, almost every state will immediately suspend your driving privileges and that for at least 30 days. However, a good lawyer can help you to get a hardship license and may even save you from a jail sentence, paying an expensive find and losing your driver's license for one year.
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