DWI / DUI Lawyers – Criminal Defense Attorneys – Drunk Driving
In October 2000, Congress passed a law requiring all states to adopt a limit of 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) by 2004. A person may be considered “legally drunk” and found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) if his BAC level meets or exceeds that limit. Some states have minimum legal drinking age laws, and “zero tolerance” laws for drivers under 21 years of age.
Drunk driving is the most common crime in America. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes, and nonfatally injure someone every two minutes. More statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. the Department of Justice:
- During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths.
- In 2005, nearly 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
- Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are generally used in combination with alcohol.
- More than half of the 414 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-related crashes during 2005 were riding with the drinking driver.
Punishments for drunk driving convictions vary from state to state, but typically include fines, license suspension or revocation, jail, and often the installation of an ignition interlock system: A device that requires a vehicle operator to blow into a small handheld alcohol sensor unit that is attached to the vehicle’s dashboard. The car cannot be started if a BAC is above a preset level, usually .02 to .04 BAC.
Other possible drunk driving penalties include:
- Community service
- Seizure of your vehicle
- Mandatory drug or alcohol education classes
- Increased automobile insurance rates
- A misdemeanor or felony conviction
- Possible homicide conviction
- A lengthy prison sentence
- Civil liability for any bodily injury or property damage you cause
Attorneys skilled in drunk driving laws can help protect the rights of drivers, possibly expunge convictions and keep negative consequences to a minimum.
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, driving under the influence, driving while impaired, DUI-DWI, or any other alcohol or drug-related crime do not delay, contact an attorney to protect your rights.
If you would like to speak with a DWI / DUI attorney and have your situation reviewed at no charge, and with no obligation, please complete the form below. Your information will be transmitted securely and privately to an experienced lawyer for an initial claim evaluation.
