It is illegal in most states for minors to be partaking of alcohol, marijuana, and other controlled substances, and to drive while doing so puts them in double jeopardy. Yet, teenagers are doing so at alarming regularity. Some studies show that 70 percent of teenagers drink alcohol, and 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related. So, why do teenagers drink and then drive?

The answer varies, but I am sure the reason why most teenagers drink and then drive has not really changed all that much since I was a teenager some 45 years ago.

I can remember like it was just yesterday. I was home from my first semester in college, and I met my older brother in the bigger city at a nightclub some 30 miles from where I grew up. Many of our friends from our small hometown were there including Chris and Vance, who, like me, were underage. My brother was one of the few in our group who was of age.  Even in those days when we had no computer at home, we all had learned the art of faking our identification. Being 19, it was fun to be able to go to a nightclub, drink, dance, and meet new girls. After all, it was simply just socializing, something we had seen our parents do all our young lives.

Of course, the night must always come to an end, and just as sure as the sun was going to come up the next morning, we were still 30 miles from home. Having consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol, we each mounted our trusty vehicles and drove back home. My brother and I left a little earlier than our friends, something to do with the next morning. By the grace of God, I like to think, we made it back safely to our cozy beds our Mom had so lovingly made for us. Vance and Chris were not so lucky.

Driving a 1965 Ford Mustang, the cops estimated they were doing 105 mph when they hit the curve just four miles from their own safe and cozy bed. The curve was sharp and had multiple telephone poles sunk into the ground with a one inch steel cable passing through them acting as a guard rail. Four of the poles were no match for the mass of the Mustang’s steel as it tumbled and rolled, snapping the poles like breaking tooth picks. Both Chris and Vance, not wearing seat belts, were thrown from the vehicle.

Vance was killed instantly when he landed directly on his neck breaking it in multiple places, and Chris died in the hospital earlier that morning having lost his lower jaw, they later said, when the Mustang rolled over him. Was this just another case of a teenage alcohol related accident? Being a small town, there was never a need to publicly humiliate the parents by announcing the blood alcohol content of the boys, but my brother and I, who had partied the previous night with Chris and Vance,  knew the real truth. The local police never asked us about where we were that fatal night, but the memories still haunt me to this day.

We all have to get from one place to the next, and socializing is in our nature. Before you consider drinking and driving in New York, please know that regardless of whether or not you are a teenager, a first time DUI conviction can cost you up to a $1000 fine, up to one year in jail, a driver’s license suspension for six months, a mandatory conviction surcharge, being ordered for alcohol screening and evaluation prior to sentencing, and the knowledge a conviction goes on a permanent criminal record that is public information.

If you are a teenager or have a teenager that has recently been accused of a DUI in Albany, Schenectady, or Troy, New York, you are going to need professional help. Contact us right now and we will help you find a traffic attorney in your area who is not only understanding of the laws affecting teenage drunk driving, but they remember and understand what it was like when they were a teenager. They were once young, but they grew up, and now, they want to help you.

Technically, DUI means driving under the influence of some type drug. Under Maine’s Bureau of Motorized Vehicle (BMV), the definition for DUI under code §2401 states “Under the influence of intoxicants” means being under the influence of alcohol, a drug other than alcohol, a combination of drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs.

The same code defines “OUI” as operating under the influence of intoxicants or with an excessive blood-alcohol level. OUI in Maine is similar to the term DWI used in other states. DWI means simply driving while intoxicated, and in many states, refers to the use of alcohol.

The use of DUI and OUI can be interchangeable, but OUI usually refers more to the severity the drug has metabolized within the offending person’s body. Convicted first time offenders can receive jail time, a stiff fine, and driver’s license suspension with a conditional reinstatement for one year. The conviction, even a first time conviction, stays on your record permanently.

According to a news article in dui.com and posted July 14, 2009, “Effective today, those stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence in Delaware will be facing twice the fines, and repeat offenders could be sentenced to jail for up to 15 years.” All across our nation, whatever term you refer to drinking and driving or drunk driving, states are clamping down on these type traffic violations.

When you face these kinds of charges, it is no time to handle your case all by yourself. You may need an attorney who  understand the subtle differences in the legal jargon of Maine law, and who specializes in representing YOUR best interests.

Technically, DUI means driving under the influence of some type drug. That can mean alcohol, prescriptions, or illegal drugs. DWI means simply driving while intoxicated, and in many states, refers to the use of alcohol. The use of the terms can be interchangeable but DWI usually refers more to the severity the drug has metabolized within the offending person’s body.

California DUI / DWI arrests trigger two separate cases: In court, and at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Concerning the DMV case, time is of the essence in responding to the Department concerning the charges against you. Your driver’s license will automatically be suspended if the accused does not request a DMV hearing before the 11th day after being accused. The criminal case filed against California DUI / DWI defendants consists of two different statutes:

The first count, CVC section 23252 (a) focuses on whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that they are “unable to drive their car with the same caution characteristic of a sober person, of ordinary prudence, under the same or similar circumstances.” This is the legal standard for being considered under the influence of alcohol or “DUI” in California courts.

The second count, known as the “per se” charge and CVC section 23252 (b), concentrates on whether the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was .08 percent or greater. Whether the motorist seemed to be driving perfectly before the traffic stop or performed with textbook precision doesn’t matter with this count. It is a charge that is based purely on body chemistry.

Convictions for first time defendants can include heavy fines, jail sentences, license suspension, vehicle impounded, ignition interlock device, DUI school, probation, and community service.

According to the August 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -2009 Changes to California’s DUI Laws, “Each year, the state’s drunk driving laws get tougher and the punishments more severe. 2009 was no exception. The legislature passed a zero tolerance law for DUI offenders on probation, decreased the blood alcohol content (BAC) level needed to trigger the use of ignition interlock devices and made DUI programs mandatory for those on probation for a “wet reckless” driving charge.” The same clamp down effects every California driver whether you live in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, or Orange County.

Whatever term you refer to drinking and driving or drunk driving, states are clamping down on these type traffic violations. When you face these kinds of charges, it is no time to handle your case all by yourself. You may need an attorney to help protect your rights. Contact DUIAttorneyHome.com to help you get in contact with a DUI lawyer who can help you understand the subtle differences in the legal jargon of California law

It is illegal in most states for minors to be partaking of alcohol, marijuana, and other controlled substances, and to drive while doing so puts them in double jeopardy. Yet, teenagers are doing so at alarming regularity. Some studies show that 70 percent of teenagers drink alcohol, and 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related. So, why do teenagers drink and then drive?

The answer varies, but I am sure the reason why most teenagers drink and then drive has not really changed all that much since I was a teenager some 45 years ago.

We all have to get from one place to the next, and socializing is in our nature. Before you consider drinking and driving in Pennsylvania, please know that regardless of whether or not you are a teenager, a first time DUI conviction can cost you up to six months probation, six months in prison, up to a $5000 fine, and up to a year of your driver’s license suspended.

If you are a teenager or have a teenager that has recently been accused of a DUI in places like Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton, Pennsylvania, you are probably going to need professional help. Contact us right now at www.duiattorneyhome.com , and we will help you find the professional in your area who is not only understanding of the laws affecting teenage drunk driving, but they remember and understand what it was like when they were a teenager. They were once young, but they grew up, and now, they want to help you.

Technically, DUI means driving under the influence of some type drug. That can mean alcohol, prescriptions, or illegal drugs. DWI means simply driving while intoxicated, and in many states, refers to the use of alcohol.

The use of the terms can be interchangeable but DWI usually refers more to the severity the drug has metabolized within the offending person’s body.

Missouri defines DWI as the offense of operating a motor vehicle in a physically or mentally impaired condition after consuming enough to raise one’s blood alcohol content above the statutory limit, or after consuming drugs.

Missouri usually adds another term related to drug abuse and driving, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or DUID, but the definition for such is similar to the definition of DWI. So, the use of the term DUID relates to the law concerning types of drugs other than alcohol.

For first time offenses in Missouri, convictions can be quiet severe. Conviction of a first DWI or DUID is a class B misdemeanor that can carry the following penalties:

• Jail: Up to a maximum of six months imprisonment.
• Fine: Up to $500 plus court costs between $10 and $100.
• Probation: The general terms of probation are no drinking, do not break the law, and attend the states Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program (SATOP). Probation usually lasts for 1 to 2 years and is commonly referred to as a Suspended Imposition Sentence or SIS.
• Suspension of Driving Privileges: A 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restriction to driving only to and from work, in the course of employment, or to alcohol treatment is automatic. The suspension goes on the person’s driving record. The court may also require that a person be restricted to driving a motor vehicle which has an ignition interlock device while on probation. The device costs $50.00-100.00 to install and $50.00-$75.00 per month to maintain. A conviction will result in 8 points being assessed against the driver’s license.

Kansas City police are known to conduct a drunken driving checkpoints in areas known for drunken driving crashes or arrests.

Whatever term you refer to drinking and driving or drunk driving, states are clamping down on these type traffic violations. When you face these kinds of charges, it is no time to handle your case all by yourself. You may need an attorney who understands such cases. Contact DUIAttorneyHome.com to help you get in contact with a lawyer who can help you understand the subtle differences in the legal jargon of Missouri law, and who will represent YOUR best interests.

After being pulled over by a a State Trooper in Denver, Colorado Springs or Aurora you might be asked to perform some basic tasks so that the law enforcement official can gauge your ability to operate your vehicle safely. The same tests could also be given by a County Sheriff’s Deputy in Lakewood, Fort Collins or Arvada. Maybe it was a  local Police Officer in Pueblo, Westminster or Boulder? If you have been questioned for suspicion of drunk driving, then hopefully you are beginning to understand that Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, (commonly called DWI, or Driving While Intoxicated, in other states) is a serious offense in Colorado.

Once you begin the Field Sobriety Test, so-named because it is done “in the field”—wherever the Officer pulls you over, the results often determine whether you continue toward your destination or whether you are detained and arrested for DUI. In court, the District Attorney will ask the arresting Officer to recount every detail of your Field Sobriety Test. It may even be recorded by a dashboard camera and played back in court. Throughout Colorado, law enforcement Officers depend on the Field Sobriety Test to measure a driver’s sobriety or lack thereof.

But wait, why did the Officer stop me in the first place?

The Colorado State Trooper, local Police Officer, or County Sheriff who pulled you over probably observed you driving erratically. Were you:

• Weaving between lanes?
• Operating your vehicle’s safety features incorrectly? (i.e. driving without your headlights at night or without your windshield wipers during a rainstorm)
• Driving above or below the posted speed limit? or
• Stopping your vehicle without proper cause or in an illegal place?

Perhaps the Officer observed nothing improper about your driving but, instead, stopped you as part of a traffic checkpoint.

After reviewing your driver’s license and vehicle registration, if the Officer suspected your ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or drugs, more than likely he directed you to exit your vehicle and take a Field Sobriety Test. This psychophysical test measures impairment by alcohol or other substances of your basic motor and cognitive skills.

Most Coloradoans have seen Field Sobriety Tests depicted in television shows or movies. Or perhaps they have experienced one first-hand. Even though most people know generally what happens in them, many states lack written instructions dictating that each Field Sobriety Test be administered in exactly the same fashion under controlled conditions.

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created its own standards for Field Sobriety Tests, which many Officers nationwide use as a general guideline. A Field Sobriety Text administered by a Police Officer in Denver, however, can vary greatly from one administered by a County Sheriff in Fort Collins or from one administered by State Trooper in Aurora.

The Officer may administer any or all of these three tests:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): HGN refers to the normal, uncontrollable twitching or jerking of the eyes while looking sharply to the left or right.  Everyone experiences a slight degree of HGN under normal circumstances. Under the influence of alcohol or any drug (over-the-counter, prescription or illegal), this twitching or jerking can occur even when the suspect is focused straight ahead or just slightly to one side. During the HGN test, the suspect focuses on a slow moving object (such as the Officer’s pen or finger) while the Officer watches carefully for any jerking or twitching of the eyeballs. Concerns about accuracy of the HGN test include:
  • Many law enforcement vehicles have dashboard video cameras, allowing for constant videotaping of the Officer’s interactions with the suspect. Even the best dashboard video equipment, though, cannot record the suspect’s eye movements. Therefore the Officer can only relate the results of the HGN test verbally in court.
  • Suspects must take this test in a variety of climate conditions, ranging from rain, dense fog, snow or high winds. It seems highly unlikely that the varied climate conditions would have no impact on the Officer’s ability to observe slight eye movements. And since this test is frequently administered at night, lack of good lighting presents further obstacles to a thorough, accurate assessment.

• One-Leg Stand (OLS). During the OLS the suspect stands on one leg with the other raised six inches off the ground. While maintaining this position, the suspect counts aloud, starting at one thousand, and continue counting until told to stop (usually for thirty seconds). The Officer watches for these possible indicators of the suspect’s impairment during the OLS:

1. Lowering the foot before the test ends;
2. Counting out of sequence;
3. Waving the arms for balance;
4. Hopping to maintain balance; and
5. Falling over during the test.

Like the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the One Leg Stand has multiple factors that can interfere with an accurate assessment of sobriety

1. What if English is not the suspect’s native language? Counting in the thousands could be impossible even when not impaired.
2. What if the suspect is nervous around Law Enforcement Officers, for reasons not related to sobriety? This could negatively impact his ability to perform well on any such test.

• Walk-and-Turn (WAT): During the WAT, the suspect takes nine steps, heel-to-toe, along an imaginary straight line. Then the suspect pivots 180 degrees on the ball of one foot and takes another nine steps, still heel-to-toe, in the opposite direction. During the WAT, the Officer watches for many indicators of potential alcohol and/or drug impairment, including:

1. Excessive use of the arms for balance,
2. Stopping before the WAT is complete,
3. Taking more or less than nine steps,
4. Failure to stand still and straight while as the Officer explains the WAT,
5. Weaving instead of walking in a straight line,
6. Walking with the feet side-by-side instead of walking heel-to-toe,
7. Failure to pivot turn on the ball of the foot, and
8. Starting the test before the Officer completes the instructions.

Many legitimate issues could interfere with the WAT test results, including:

• • Shoe soles Something as simple as the suspect’s shoes can significantly impact the WAT test. For instance, leather soles can be slippery and result in turning too quickly, causing a loss of balance. Conversely, rubber soles can “grip” the roadside, also causing a loss of balance. And high heels, whether on a woman’s shoe or a man’s boot, can make heel-to-toe walking difficult.
  • Medical conditions Inner ear problems or chronic leg or back pain can cause a loss of balance.  Obesity can also adversely impact balance.
  • Roadside Surface Condition Ice, rain, snow or even spilled motor oil can make the roadside surface slippery, causing challenges.

Here are some additional factors to consider about Field Sobriety Tests:

• An Officer forms an opinion about a driver’s sobriety (or lack thereof) from the moment he first observes the driver’s vehicle, before the Officer ever decides to pull him over. While unsafe driving has no excuse, it is not always caused by alcohol and/or drug impairment. For example:
  • Focusing on a conversation, either with passengers or via a cell phone, instead of on the posted speed limits can cause a driver to speed.
  • Changing a compact disc, reading a map or engaging with children in the backseat can cause a driver to weave between lanes.

In both of these examples, the Officer may assume a driver is under the influence, even though the suspect is really guilty of driving distractedly.

• Anything an Officer observes about a driver, while speaking with him or during the Field Sobriety Test, can be admitted in court, even though the Officer has not yet read the suspect his Miranda rights.
• Hearing and following an Officer’s verbal instructions on the side of a noisy roadway can be difficult for Coloradoans with hearing deficits, whether due to advanced age or medical conditions.
• Even something as simple as the driver leaning on or pulling against his car door while exiting could be construed by an Officer as evidence of impairment. But such actions could be simply the result of chronic back pain or sore muscles from a challenging workout the day before, not impairment by alcohol and/or drugs.

Although Law Enforcement Officers and District Attorneys rely heavily on Field Sobriety Tests for assessment of impairment, they are not always the most accurate measure of a driver’s sobriety. In court, though, it will be your testimony versus the arresting Officer’s. Make a smart decision today, and contact a Colorado DUI/DWAI lawyer. Your future is at risk if you have been arrested for DUI. Make sure you have a Colorado DUI lawyer on your side as a trusted guide and advisor.

Technically, DUI means driving under the influence of some type drug. That can mean alcohol, prescriptions, or illegal drugs. DWI means simply driving while impaired, and in many states, refers to the use of alcohol. The use of the terms can be interchangeable but DWI usually refers more to the severity the drug has metabolized within the offending person’s body called the blood alcohol content (BAC). Another term sometimes used by Rhode Island is OUI, which simply means operating under the influence of any kind of drug. Rhode Island’s DWI Code is found in §31-27-2, §31-27-3.

Convicted first time offenders can receive jail sentences, stiff fines, an order to work in community service, driver’s license suspension, and an order to attend a driving while intoxicated course. The conviction, even a first time conviction, stays on your record permanently as a criminal record.

Taken from the Rhode Island State Government in Providence, an article, dated June 05, 2008, reads: STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved one of four bills introduced this year by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick) intended to strengthen the state’s drunk driving laws and get tougher on repeat offenders.”

Whatever term you refer to drinking and driving or drunk driving, states are clamping down on these type traffic violations. When you face these kinds of charges, it is no time to handle your case all by yourself. You need an attorney who specializes in such cases. Contact DUIAttorneyHome.com to help you get in contact with a DUI lawyer who can help you understand the subtle differences in the legal jargon of (state) law, and who specializes in representing YOUR best interests.

Did a State Trooper stop you in Denver, Colorado Springs or Aurora? Or perhaps a County Sheriff pulled you over in Lakewood, Fort Collins or Arvada? Did a local Police Officer ask you to step out of your car in Pueblo, Westminster or Boulder? If you have been questioned for suspicion of drunk driving, then hopefully you are beginning to understand that Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, (commonly called DWI, or Driving While Intoxicated, in other states) is a serious offense in Colorado.

review the definitions and penalties for DUI in Colorado (as outlined by Colorado’s Office of Legislative Legal Services in Colorado Drunk Driving Laws, updated August 2009, and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s website).

Colorado makes three distinctions for drivers arrested for drunk driving who are age twenty-one and older:

• DWAI (Driving While Abilities Impaired by alcohol or drugs) for blood alcohol test results of 0.05% or higher, but less than 0.08%
• DUI (Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs) for blood alcohol test results of 0.08% or higher
• Persistent Drunk Driver for blood alcohol test results of 0.17% or higher

Many Coloradoans mistakenly believe they are not breaking any state laws while driving with a BAC (blood alcohol content) less than 0.08%. But as we’ll detail below, any BAC of 0.05% or higher for drivers can result in jail time, financial penalties and license suspension.

For drivers under age twenty-one, however, a higher standard of sobriety applies. A BAC test result of .02% to .05% is punished as follows (the terms used will be explained shortly):

• 1^st Offense
  • Fine of $100
  • Public Service Requirement of up to twenty-four hours
  • Driver’s License Suspension for three months
  • Addition of four points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• 2^nd Offense
  • Fine of $100
  • Public Service Requirement of up to twenty-four hours
  • Driver’s License Suspension for six months
  • Addition of four points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• 3^rd and Subsequent Offenses
  • Fine of $100
  • Public Service Requirement of up to twenty-four hours
  • Driver’s License Suspension for one year
  • Addition of four points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**

For a driver under age twenty-one with a BAC test result of 0.05% or higher, the penalties for adults may apply.

Colorado operates under the Expressed Consent Law, which means that the law presumes that every driver has consented to take a blood, breath, saliva, urine and/or any chemical test when asked to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer suspecting them of DUI or DWAI. Should a driver refuse to submit to a requested test, his driver’s license may be revoked, and his refusal may be admitted in court as presumption of guilt.

Should you be arrested for DUI or DWAI and have your license suspended or revoked, you have seven days to appear at a Colorado State Driver’s License Office to request a hearing. If the arresting officer did not confiscate your driver’s license, you must surrender it at the Driver’s License Office in order to receive a temporary driver’s license permit, which will be valid until your hearing. Part of your sentencing at the hearing may require you to attend and complete (at your expense) driver education classes on alcohol. It is worth noting that a driver’s license “suspension” is completely different from a “revocation”:

• A “suspension” is a penalty that temporarily withdraws the driving privileges without voiding the license. Once all of the terms of the suspension have been met, drivers must pay a $95.00 fee to be considered for restoration of your driving privileges.
• A “revocation” completely voids the license; after the prescribed revocation period, a driver must re-apply and re-test (written and behind the wheel) for the privilege to drive under a new driver’s license.

It should be noted that Colorado is one of the few states that allows for license suspension solely based on BAC test results, regardless of whether a DUI conviction ensues.

• A BAC test result of 0.08% or higher equals an automatic license suspension for nine months.
• A second BAC test result of 0.08% or higher equals an automatic license suspension for one year.
• A third BAC test result of 0.08% or higher equals an automatic license suspension for two years.

Should the driver be convicted of DUI, the court will determine which license suspension or revocation penalty to enforce.

Now for Colorado’s DUI and DWAI penalties for drivers age twenty-one and older:

• First DWAI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from two days to one-hundred eighty days
  • Fines ranging from $200 to $500
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from twenty-four to forty-eight hours
  • Addition of eight points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• Second DWAI within Five Years of a Prior DWAI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from forty-five days to one year
  • Fines ranging from $600 to $1,000
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from forty-eight to ninety-six hours
  • Driver’s License suspension for one year
  • Addition of 8 points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• First DUI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from five days to one year
  • Fines ranging from $600 to $1,000
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from forty-eight to ninety-six hours
  • Driver’s License suspension for nine months
  • Addition of 12 points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• Second DUI Conviction within Five Years of a Prior DUI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from ninety days to one year
  • Fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,500
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from sixty to one-hundred twenty hours
  • Driver’s License suspension for one year
  • Addition of 12 points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• DWAI Conviction within Five Years of a Prior DUI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from sixty days to one year
  • Fines ranging from $800 to $1,200
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from fifty-two one-hundred four hours
  • Driver’s License suspension for one year
  • Addition of 8 points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• DUI Conviction within Five Years of a Prior DWAI Conviction
  • Jail Term ranging from seventy days to one year
  • Fines ranging from $900 to $1,500
  • Public Service Requirement ranging from fifty-six to one-hundred twelve hours
  • Driver’s License suspension for one year
  • Addition of 12 points to the driver’s motor vehicle record**
• Third or Subsequent DUI and/or DWAI Conviction
  • Driver’s License suspension for two years
  • Addition of 8 points for DWAI or 12 points for DUI on a driver’s motor vehicle record**
  • If the Third DUI or DWAI is within seven years of the prior convictions, a mandatory 5-year driver’s license revocation applies under the “habitual traffic offender” statute.
• Additional Fines In addition to the fines listed above, a driver convicted of DUI or DWAI may be required to pay:
  • Court costs
  • Penalty surcharges of up to $500 to help offset programs aimed at persistent drunk drivers
  • Penalty surcharges to benefit the Crime Victim Compensation Fund
  • Any other fines the court sees fit to levy
• Additional Penalties Should the driver’s be involved in an accident causing injury or death while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, much more stringent penalties will apply for Vehicular Assault and/or Vehicular Homicide.
• Installation of Ignition Interlock Device for Repeat DUI or DWAI Offenders

The Ignition Interlock Device is installed in a driver’s vehicle and requires him to provide a breath sample within legal BAC limits in order to start his vehicle. Also, the driver may be required to provide breath samples at intervals while driving. A driver will be required by the court to install and maintain, at his own expense, a court-approved Ignition Interlock Device if his BAC test result is 0.17% or higher and any of these applies:

• Driver’s license revocation for two DUI and/or DWAI convictions within five years.
• Driver’s license revocation for three DUI and/or DWAI convictions within a driver’s lifetime.
• Driver’s license revocation for designation by the court as a Habitual Traffic Offender if one of the prior convictions was a DUI or DWAI.

Installation and maintenance costs of the Ignition Interlock Device can easily cost over $1,000 per year.

**Colorado’s Department of Motor Vehicles operates on a “point system.” Drivers are assigned points for various violations of driving laws, and alcohol and drug-related violations are included in this point system.  Here are the point totals that will result in a driver’s license suspension:

• Adult Drivers, age 21 and older
  • 12 points in any 12 consecutive months
  • 18 points in any 24 consecutive months
• Minor Drivers, ages 18 thru 20 years of age
  • 9 points in any 12 consecutive months
  • 12 points in any 24 consecutive months
  • 14 or more points between the ages of 18-21
• Drivers under the Age of 18
  • 6 points in 12 consecutive months
  • 7 points prior to turning 18

Are you overwhelmed by Colorado’s list of DUI and DWAI penalties? Do you see how serious a DUI or DWAI arrest in Colorado really is? You have the right to consult with a DUI attorney. If you have not already contacted one, why haven’t you contacted one? Colorado Law Enforcement Officers and District Attorneys pursue suspected DUI and DWAI offenders to the full extent the law allows. If you have been arrested for DUI or DWAI in Colorado, your next move should be to contact a DUI or DWAI attorney immediately, either by telephone or online. Just review the lengthy list of penalties above, which include driver’s license suspension and/or revocation, significant fines, jail time, lengthy community service requirements, point after point added to your motor vehicle record as well as possible felony convictions. Your arresting officer will work closely with the District Attorney in an effort to convict you and punish you in every legal means. So who is working closely with you? Do not make the ill-advised decision to “go it alone” in court. Contact a Colorado DUI /DWAI attorney today.

Fall is on its way to the New England towns of Providence, Fall River and Warwick.  Soon the countryside will be ablaze with the vivid colors of the season.  But as you cruise the country roads this autumn, make sure that the colors you see in your rear-view mirror are the golds and oranges of the foliage and not the red and blue of a police cruiser.  Those who mix drinking and driving with their harvest parties this year will find that their fall fun is coming to a quick end thanks to the efforts of local law enforcement.

Drunk driving is a serious crime throughout New England and it is one that police throughout the region are dedicated to eliminating.  In order to do so, they have increased their patrols and sobriety checkpoints.  Additionally, the penalties for a drunk driving conviction are becoming more and more severe each year.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the New England area, you need to act quickly to ensure that your rights are protected and your privileges are maintained.  This is not a case to handle alone.  The laws related to a drunk driving defense are complicated and are rapidly changing.  Your best response is to contact an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.  These legal professionals have seen hundreds of cases just like yours and can quickly evaluate your case and recommend the best action for your situation.

The legal level for intoxication in this area is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%.  A driver’s BAC is determined based on a chemical test of their blood or breath.  A sample of either blood or breath was requested when you were pulled over.  If you refused to provide this sample, your license was automatically suspended for a minimum of 30 days in Massachusetts and at least 90 days in Rhode Island.  The state of Rhode Island will also assess a fine, require community service, and require the driver to participate in driver education courses as a result of a chemical test refusal.

If you are convicted of a DUI in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, you will face similar penalties, including fines, driver’s license suspensions, mandatory community service, alcohol screening and assessment, and driver safety courses.  The maximum amount fined for a DUI first offense in Rhode Island is $300 if your BAC is less than .15%.  A BAC higher than .15% will increase the maximum fine to $500.  Drivers convicted of DUI in Rhode Island will also be required to pay a $500 highway safety assessment.  Fines for a first offense DUI conviction in Massachusetts can reach up to $5,000.

All of these consequences will have a continual and dramatic impact on the driver and their family.  The risk is too great.  Take action today by consulting a qualified DUI lawyer to review your case.

Hartford is well-known as the Insurance Capital of the World, but if you consume alcoholic beverages before taking to the streets in this New England community, your insurance company will not be on your side.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Connecticut.  The laws related to a drunk driving case are constantly under review and the penalties for a DUI conviction are becoming increasingly severe.  This is not a situation that you want to handle alone.  Your best response is to discuss your case with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.  These legal professionals have seen numerous cases just like yours and they will be able to quickly assess all aspects in your case and recommend the best course of action for you.

The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Connecticut is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%.  The driver’s BAC is determined through the administration of a chemical test, which requires that the driver provide a sample of blood, breath or urine for analysis.  If the driver refuses to provide this sample, his or her driver’s license will be automatically suspended for a period of 6 months even if this is their first DUI offense.  This is the result of the Connecticut Implied Consent Law, which states that any person who drives in the state of Connecticut has already given consent to the administration of a chemical test to determine their BAC just based on their decision to drive in the state.

If you do submit to the chemical test and it shows that your BAC is .08% or greater, you will be taken into custody.  You will be held in police detention until you are bailed out.  If you are convicted of DUI and this is your first offense, you can anticipate significant penalties including fines between $500 and $1000 and a license suspension of 1 year.  This driver’s license suspension is separate from the suspension of your license if you refused to submit to a chemical test.  Jail time will also be a part of the penalties for a first time DUI conviction.  The jail sentence is 6 months with 48 hours being mandatory.  This sentence may be suspended, but in these cases 100 hours of community service will be required.

Drivers whose license is suspended as a result of a DUI conviction can apply for a special operating permit that will allow them to drive to and from work only.  Application for this permit must be made through the Driver Services Division of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

And finally, if you are convicted of a DUI, your auto insurance rates will increase substantially and your insurance carrier may go so far as to drop your policy, forcing you to pay much higher premiums with a new carrier.

You need to take action immediately to ensure that your freedoms and privileges are protected.  Contact a qualified DUI lawyer today to start working on your case.