| DUI Accidents Can Affect Others & Increase DUI | | | | the crime. If you are convicted, you can face a number |
| Penalties | | | | of penalties that will depend on the state you live in |
| Driving under the influence is often defined as driving | | | | and any special circumstances. |
| under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both types of | | | | DUI Accidents & Administrative Penalties |
| substances. Regardless of the substance used in an | | | | When you are arrested for driving under the influence, |
| offense, driving under the influence has the potential to | | | | you will experience administrative penalties through |
| cause serious injuries and extensive property damage. | | | | your state driver licensing services agency. In some |
| In most states, DUI (or DWI as it is called in some | | | | states, this is known as the Department of Motor |
| states) is charged as a misdemeanor. However, this | | | | Vehicles. Some states offer a hearing process that |
| can change if aggravating factors are present or if an | | | | allows you to try to get your license back until your |
| offender has had multiple convictions within a specific | | | | trial, but this can be a difficult task to accomplish. Hiring |
| time period. Aggravating factors can include injuries or | | | | a qualified attorney who specializes in DUI cases may |
| property damage caused by DUI accidents, having a | | | | be your only chance for getting your license back if it |
| child in the vehicle while an offense is being committed, | | | | is an option in your state. A skilled attorney can |
| and having a blood alcohol concentration level that is | | | | represent you during administrative proceedings and |
| considered extremely high. Knowing the consequences | | | | speak on your behalf. |
| of DUI accidents can help you to better understand | | | | DUI Accidents & Criminal Penalties |
| DUI law and help you avoid serious criminal charges. | | | | The criminal penalties for driving under the influence |
| DUI Accidents & Bodily Injuries | | | | can vary widely from state to state. Most states can |
| In many states, special provisions exist in the DUI laws | | | | impose penalties that include jail time, fines, court costs, |
| that allow judges to impose harsher penalties for | | | | probation, suspension of driving privileges, revocation of |
| offenders who have caused bodily injuries as a result | | | | driving privileges, ignition interlock device installation, |
| of their DUI accidents. These bodily injuries are often | | | | alcohol and drug education programs, and additional |
| serious and can include broken bones, collapsed lungs, | | | | insurance requirements for DUI offenders. These |
| and even paralysis in the most serious accidents. | | | | penalties are imposed based on many factors including |
| These increased penalties make it possible for | | | | prior convictions, aggravating circumstances, and other |
| offenders to receive longer jail terms, increased fines, | | | | information from each individual case. Some states are |
| longer probationary periods, longer license suspension | | | | stricter than other when it comes to imposing penalties |
| or revocation periods, and increased requirements for | | | | for driving under the influence convictions. A first |
| insurance and alcohol treatment and evaluation. These | | | | offense in one state may get an offender some |
| increased penalties are in place to deter drivers from | | | | community service time, a license suspension, and |
| driving under the influence and keep the roads safer | | | | mandatory participation in an alcohol education |
| from DUI accidents. | | | | program while a first offender in another state may |
| DUI Accidents & Fatalities | | | | spend several days in jail, have a longer license |
| Some states have provisions that allow prosecutors to | | | | suspension period, and have to attend more alcohol |
| charge drivers with vehicular manslaughter and driving | | | | education classes. The penalties for driving under the |
| under the influence if any fatalities occur as a result of | | | | influence begin at the first offense and escalate as an |
| an accident caused by a driver who was too impaired | | | | offender accumulates additional convictions. |
| to remain in control of his or her vehicle. Many factors | | | | DUI Accidents & DUI Attorneys |
| can influence how a DUI offense is charged including | | | | Hiring an attorney who specializes in DUI cases is one |
| blood alcohol concentration levels, other crimes | | | | of the best things you can do if you have been |
| committed during the same offense, prior DUI | | | | charged with driving under the influence. You'll have |
| convictions, and other circumstances. | | | | better access to the resources you need to defend |
| DUI Accidents & Criminal Charges | | | | yourself and you'll also have a legal professional on |
| If you are arrested for DUI, you will be charged with | | | | your side that can help you prepare for your criminal |
| driving under the influence. This is a criminal offense | | | | trial. No case is ever a sure thing, but having a DUI |
| and you will need to go through a criminal trial where a | | | | lawyer on your side is one of the best ways to |
| prosecutor will attempt to show that you are guilty of | | | | achieve a successful outcome. |