DUI Laws From Montana

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Montana DUI Statutes

NOTE: This site is here as a resource for DUI and DWI research. It is not meant to serve as, or replace, DUI and DWI Lawyers. 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.

Below are excerpts from the Montana DUI Statutes

61-8-401. Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs -- definitions.
(1) It is unlawful and punishable, as provided in 61-8-442, 61-8-714, and 61-8-731 through 61-8-734, for a person who is under the influence of:
(a) alcohol to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle upon the ways of this state open to the public;
(b) a dangerous drug to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state;
(c) any other drug to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state; or
(d) alcohol and any dangerous or other drug to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state.
(2) The fact that any person charged with a violation of subsection (1) is or has been entitled to use alcohol or a drug under the laws of this state does not constitute a defense against any charge of violating subsection (1).
(3) (a) "Under the influence" means that as a result of taking into the body alcohol, drugs, or any combination of alcohol and drugs, a person's ability to safely operate a vehicle has been diminished.
(b) Subject to 61-8-440, as used in this part, "vehicle" has the meaning provided in 61-1-101, except that the term does not include a bicycle.
(4) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the concentration of alcohol in the person at the time of a test, as shown by analysis of a sample of the person's blood or breath drawn or taken within a reasonable time after the alleged act, gives rise to the following inferences:
(a) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or less, it may be inferred that the person was not under the influence of alcohol.
(b) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration in excess of 0.04 but less than 0.08, that fact may not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but the fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person.
(c) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol. The inference is rebuttable.
(5) The provisions of subsection (4) do not limit the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the issue of whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.
(6) Each municipality in this state is given authority to enact 61-8-406, 61-8-408, 61-8-410, 61-8-714, 61-8-722, 61-8-731 through 61-8-734, and subsections (1) through (5) of this section, with the word "state" in 61-8-406 and subsection (1) of this section changed to read "municipality", as an ordinance and is given jurisdiction of the enforcement of the ordinance and of the imposition of the fines and penalties provided in the ordinance.
(7) Absolute liability as provided in 45-2-104 will be imposed for a violation of this section.
History: En. Sec. 39, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 194, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 201, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 109, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 132, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 289, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 430, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 32-2142(part); amd. Sec. 69, Ch. 421, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 659, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 698, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 99, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 350, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 484, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 612, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 789, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 88, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 107, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 512, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 525, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 563, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 329, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 207, Ch. 542, L. 2005.

61-8-406. Operation of noncommercial vehicle by person with alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more -- operation of commercial vehicle by person with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.
(1) It is unlawful and punishable as provided in 61-8-442, 61-8-722, 61-8-723, and 61-8-731 through 61-8-734 for any person to drive or be in actual physical control of:
(a) a noncommercial vehicle upon the ways of this state open to the public while the person's alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, breath, or urine, is 0.08 or more; or
(b) a commercial motor vehicle upon the ways of this state open to the public while the person's alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of the person's blood or breath, is 0.04 or more.
(2) Absolute liability, as provided in 45-2-104, will be imposed for a violation of this section.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 698, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 99, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 350, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 484, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 789, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 107, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 512, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 525, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 207, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 329, L. 2003.

61-8-410. Operation of vehicle by person under twenty-one with alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more.
(1) It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 who has an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle upon ways of this state open to the public. Absolute liability, as provided for in 45-2-104, is imposed for a violation of this section.
(2) Upon a first conviction under this section, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500.
(3) Upon a second conviction under this section, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 or more than $500 and, if the person is 18 years of age or older, by incarceration for not more than 10 days.
(4) Upon a third or subsequent conviction under this section, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 or more than $500 and, if the person is 18 years of age or older, by incarceration for not less than 24 consecutive hours or more than 60 days.
(5) In addition to the punishment provided in this section, regardless of disposition:
(a) the person shall comply with the chemical dependency education course and chemical dependency treatment provisions in 61-8-732 as ordered by the court; and
(b) the department shall suspend the person's driver's license for 90 days upon the first conviction, 6 months upon the second conviction, and 1 year upon the third or subsequent conviction. A restricted or probationary driver's license may not be issued during the suspension period until the person has paid a license reinstatement fee in accordance with 61-2-107 and, if the person was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, has completed at least 30 days of the suspension period.
(6) A conviction under this section may not be counted as a prior conviction under 61-8-401 or 61-8-406.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 447, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 520, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 455, L. 1999.

61-8-442. Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs -- driving with excessive alcohol concentration -- ignition interlock device.
(1) In addition to the punishments provided in 61-8-714 and 61-8-722, regardless of disposition and if a probationary license is recommended by the court, the court may, for a person convicted of a first offense under 61-8-401 or 61-8-406, restrict the person to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device during the probationary period and require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing, installing, and maintaining the device.
(2) If a person is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of 61-8-401 or 61-8-406, in addition to the punishments provided in 61-8-714 and 61-8-722, regardless of disposition, the court shall order that each motor vehicle owned by the person at the time of the offense be either:
(a) seized and subjected to the forfeiture procedure provided under 61-8-421; or
(b) during the 12-month period beginning with the end of the period of driver's license revocation, equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device and require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing, installing, and maintaining the device.
(3) Any restriction imposed under this section must be included in a report of the conviction made by the court to the department in accordance with 61-11-101 and placed upon the person's driving record maintained by the department in accordance with 61-11-102.
(4) The duration of a restriction imposed under this section must be monitored by the department.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 107, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 258, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 300, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 329, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 547, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 117, Ch. 596, L. 2005.

 

 

 

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