One of the main reasons why we have accidents on the road comes from various people driving under the influence. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration clearly shows that every day, around 37 people in the US alone die in drunk-driving crashes. There’s no denying that driving under the influence is very bad, and it can lead to major, severe problems for everyone doing so.
Plus, there are legal consequences stemming from driving under the influence as well. You can’t expect to just enter an accident due to DUI, and then move on with your life. There are legal ramifications that can be very problematic, depending on the outcome of the accident. So it is possible to deal with various financial problems, penalties and even prison time, depending on what happened.
Understanding DUI Laws
DUI or driving under the influence means that you are driving a vehicle while being intoxicated either by alcohol or drugs. That’s why many people replace the DUI term with drunken driving. Obviously, this is not legal, and if you are caught or worse, you are in an accident while being drunk and driving, that can bring in severe problems and issues you really want to avoid as much as you can.
When it comes to driving under the influence, the way the police will identify whether you are suitable for a DUI offence or not is based on the blood alcohol concentration. While the blood alcohol concentration limit by state could vary, the federal limit is 0.08% alcohol in your blood. If you have more than that, it means you’re driving under the influence, and thus you will be facing any of the penalties related to that.
Immediate Legal Consequences
So what happens if you are indeed driving under the influence? What kind of legal consequences can arise? The truth is that you will be arrested and processed, if you have the amount of alcohol or drugs above the accepted limit. With that being said, there can be other penalties that might be imposed, depending on the situation.
A very common thing is to have your license suspended for a while, and you’ll receive points on the driving record as well. Not only that, but it is possible to be fined, and you will have to go to court, too. There you will have to pay court costs and other fees as well.
Criminal Charges and Penalties
If you will receive criminal charges, a lot of the time the first charge will be a misdemeanor. These are simpler charges and not as severe when compared to a felony. People are accused of a felony either when they kill someone, or they seriously injure another person. In that case, even if it’s your first time with such an offense, you might be charged for a felony. That will be aside from having your license suspended from 30 days to a year, according to ConsumerShield.
Jail time could be something you will end up doing if the offence is great enough. But for the most part, jail time is not imposed and it won’t really be that much of an issue. However, the most common things you will encounter are fees and penalties that you have to pay. Along with the inability to drive for quite some time, usually for months.
Long-term Legal Implications
You may think that once you get past these issue, it’s all clear and no one will remember them. Unfortunately that’s not the case. In fact a lot of the time, these issues will come with long term repercussions. For example, if you want to get employed, companies will ask for your record and if they see DUI charges, especially repeated ones, that might impede you from finding a job.
A similar thing can be said when it comes to insurance rates and coverage. Due to these charges, you might end up paying way more for insurance when compared to others. And that’s because companies will see you as a liability. It gets even worse if you have a criminal record, because companies avoid hiring people with criminal records.
Defenses and Legal Strategies
What type of defense can you have against a DUI charge? You always want to have a legal professional that will represent you in the face of all these charges. The defense can vary, but common defense actions include:
Challenging the traffic stop and showing footage or evidence
Duress can also be used as a legal strategy
Medical conditions
Blood test evidence
Officer observations
Breath test or field sobriety test
Involuntary intoxication
What’s very important with these legal strategies is that they could help you get out of DUI charges. That’s the reason why you always want to hire a lawyer. Not only will it help you make sure that you prevent issues, but you’ll find the ideal way of tackling these problems.
Prevention and Awareness
Of course, the best approach is to avoid any DUI problems in the first place. And that’s why it can be a very good idea to enter educational programs and campaigns related to DUI awareness. Other things such as having a designated driver, making sure you use public transport or ask someone to take you home can help way more. That’s the approach you want to have, because DUI is an offense and it can lead to major problems and issues that you can face in the long term.
Conclusion
It’s clear that driving under the influence is going to be a major issue, and something you need to tackle as much as possible. You always want to be responsible and not drive under the influence. But if you want to have a good time and enjoy some drinks, then ask someone to take you home. Or hire a cab, maybe even use services like Bolt or Uber. That will make it easier to reach your home and not worry about major problems or certain issues that could arise.
William Gall is a seasoned attorney specializing in civil litigation and family law. With a legal career spanning over two decades, William has built a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail and his unwavering commitment to justice. In addition to practicing law, he is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to various legal blogs where he shares his insights on current legal trends, case law, and best practices. His articles are well-regarded in the legal community for their thorough research and practical advice, making complex legal concepts accessible to both legal professionals and the general public.