| Due to the work of groups such as Mothers Against | | | | and from work. |
| Drunk Drivers (MADD), DUI offenders are facing | | | | The hopes that an attorney will get you out of the jail |
| changes in the laws. The penalties, even for first | | | | time, license suspension or a fine for drunk driving are |
| offenders, have gone up. The fines have increased | | | | very slim. Most of the fines, suspension times and jail |
| and mandatory jail time has been increased. At the | | | | time are mandatory, though they may differ from |
| same time, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit | | | | state to state. First-time offenders can be hit hard with |
| has gone down in many states from. 1 percent to. 08 | | | | fines, license suspensions and weekend jail time. |
| in all states. | | | | For those that are repeat offenders or habitual |
| The legal drinking age in every state is now 21 years | | | | violators, there are felony penalties for three DUI |
| of age. Two-thirds of all states now have an | | | | convictions. A felony conviction can cost you many of |
| Administrative License Revocation law. This basically | | | | your civil rights. The ability to own a weapon or vote, |
| allows the arresting officer to take your license if you | | | | along with permanent loss of license may occur. |
| refuse to take a breathalyzer test or if you fail the | | | | DUI school can be a part of a lengthy process of |
| test. | | | | getting a license back for a person that has had more |
| All states have now passed Zero Tolerance laws. | | | | than one DUI. You may be required to have an |
| These laws say that no driver under 21 can have a | | | | assessment interview where your drinking habits are |
| measurable amount of blood alcohol. This will mean the | | | | looked at. It may be determined that you must attend |
| revocation of a license. A lost license can be | | | | some form of rehabilitation before you can get your |
| temporary or permanent, depending upon whether the | | | | license back. It may also be determined that you must |
| violator is a repeat offender or not. | | | | maintain extra insurance. This can be expensive, |
| Many of the penalties for drinking and driving have | | | | especially if you have had an accident while drinking. |
| increased. This is especially true for repeat offenders. | | | | Society is attempting to demonstrate that drinking and |
| Many repeat offenders will find themselves facing stiff | | | | driving is unacceptable. DUI offenders are facing |
| fines and mandatory jail time. In most cases, it will be | | | | changes that can impact their lives forever. |
| almost impossible to get a hardship license to drive to | | | | |