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WHAT IS DUI ?

Driving under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs, including prescription drugs, (also known as DUI and, in some states, DWI) is a serious criminal offense that can lead to devastating consequences. The circumstances under which people find themselves driving under the influence can vary; however, it is important to note that complete intoxication is not a prerequisite for being charged with a DUI. This is why the term "Drunk Driving" is so often used incorrectly as one does not need to be "drunk" to commit a DUI but only under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Driving is a skill which requires concentration and coordination, and on many levels the task cannot be performed properly by people impaired, even slightly, by alcohol or drugs. Any level of alcohol or drugs in a person's body that prevents him or her from thinking clearly, seeing properly, or reacting normally is potentially enough for a person to be charged with DUI.

To determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, law enforcement officers often conduct Field Sobriety Tests. These may include the finger to nose test, walk and turn test and raised leg stand test. Portable breathalyzers are another tool used by law enforcement to determine a person's level of intoxication. All states in the U.S. have set standards for the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) threshold (most states currently use .08% BAC) at which a driver is considered per se DUI. In many cases violations of the DUI laws include mandatory minimum jail sentences. If a person is charged with a DUI, the penalties vary depending on circumstances: whether it is a first time offense, the level of impairment or intoxication, and if anyone was injured. In the case of drivers under the age of 21, most states have a near zero tolerance for any concentration of alcohol in the blood (in most states .02% BAC is per se DUI for a minor). In these cases, the penalties and fines are more complicated. While DUI laws vary from state to state, the personal consequences of getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs may include driver’s license suspension, fines, jail time, imposed community service, mandatory driving school, and possible medical treatment or counseling is required for repeat offenders. Repeat offenders also risk escalating jail sentences, fines and license suspension time in addition to the possibility of a felony charge for multiple DUI violations.

An accident caused by driving under the influence may also have civil and legal consequences that place responsibility on the driver for any damages that occur. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of bodily injury or even death. A minor DUI offense is easily elevated to a felony, which is punishable by longer jail time and higher fines, if the incident caused serious injury, death, or extensive property damage. A DUI violation can be costly in the short term because of fines, court costs and DUI Lawyer fees, but if restitutiom is involved those costs can escalate exponentially.

The long-term consequences of driving under the influence include increased rates and/or loss of car insurance, restricted or suspended driving privileges, loss of trust from family and friends, and loss of a job due to jail time or criminal record. The act of getting behind the wheel of a car under the influence is not just a decision that affects the driver; it has a rippling effect on the community at large. Facing a DUI charge is stressful, humiliating, and can impose a permanent criminal record that will follow the driver for the rest of his or her life; a DUI conviction is something that may never go away.

About this DUI Help and Information site

Welcome to DUI-News.info. This site was created by DUI Lawyers and is dedicated to Driving Under The Influence Law. For those who have been charged with a DUI it can be very confusing. We have attempted to bring many DUI resources together in one place. You can read the Latest DUI News from your area or review the DUI Laws from your state. We have also set up a DUI Help Forum where you can seek advice, or information, from others who have dealt with DUI charges, those with an interest in DUI Law and DUI Lawyers. Finally, there are also Scientific Articles regarding Driving Under The Influence for those who wish to research this aspect of DUI. Please try the The Search Box to the right which has been specifically customized to return results which are DUI oriented.

we have begun to post DUI Articles which contain helpful information about DUI. We will also be adding other DUI related sections to the site. (If you are a DUI Lawyer and would like to post a DUI related article to the site please contact us.) If you are looking for something specific related to DUI Law and do not see it here, please contact us and we will attempt to add it to the site quickly. If you have general comments regarding the site or advice to improve upon it we also want to hear from you. If you have a link to a DUI related site which you feel is helpful, please submit it on our contact page and we will review it for inclusion on the DUI Links page.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are researching DUI's because you have been charged with a DUI or DWI - you should speak to a DUI Lawyer. The DUI or DWI laws in most states carry mandatory jail sentences and driver's license suspension. Only a DUI Attorney with the necessary experience can evaluate your case fully. A qualified DUI Lawyer or DWI Lawyer can tell you what legal defenses you may have available in your DUI or DWI case. The DUI Lawyer will also be able to tell you if your state has alternative resolution programs available for DUI - this is a program where you may take classes, do community service etc. and the charges are expunged.

Thank You for visiting the site and feel free to peruse all of our sections and post in the DUI Help Forum.