| Whether you call it "driving under the influence (DUI)" or | | | | from having an open can of alcohol in the care. In |
| "driving while intoxicated (DWI)," if you drive after | | | | forty-five states law enforcement has the right to |
| drinking alcohol or consuming drugs you may be | | | | install an ignition lock in the car of drivers who violate |
| breaking the law. Conviction for DUI could mean loss | | | | alcohol-related driving laws. The driver has to blow into |
| of your driver's license, fines, and/or prison time. It can | | | | a tube that detects alcohol. If alcohol is detected the |
| also be an embarrassment that affects your | | | | car remains locked and cannot be driven. |
| employment, family life, and standing in the community. | | | | Lawyers can help people who are accused of driving |
| While laws vary from state to state, jurisdictions | | | | while intoxicated avoid jail. They can help people |
| usually base DUI charges on blood alcohol | | | | understand their rights and responsibilities under state |
| concentrations (BAC), urine tests, or breath tests. BAC | | | | and local laws. Attorneys may defend clients based on |
| is the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream. It is | | | | the not infrequent false readings of so-called |
| illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher in all 50 | | | | "breathalyzer" devices or on other bases. The best |
| states. That means if your BAC is 0.08% or higher you | | | | attorneys understand the laws and how to work with |
| are breaking the law. | | | | them in the interest of their clients. |
| Many states offer driver education programs for | | | | If you are convicted and pay your legal debt to society |
| people convicted of DUI. In some jurisdictions | | | | with fines, probation, license suspension, and/or jail time, |
| completing the program may result in reduced fines or | | | | an attorney may be able to help you have your |
| penalties. Other states require driver education | | | | criminal record expunged. An expungement seals the |
| programs before reinstating licenses that were lost | | | | criminal records so it's as if the offense didn't happen. |
| due to DUI. | | | | Expungement is a big help in restoring your life after |
| Virginia has some of the strictest DWI laws in the | | | | conviction. Having your criminal record expunged may |
| country. A person who violates traffic laws because | | | | make it easier for you to get a job, education, or |
| of driving while intoxicated loses his or her license for | | | | professional licensure. Many states require a formal |
| one year. After the second offense the license the | | | | court hearing with witnesses and legal declaration. |
| courts suspend the license for three years and the | | | | That's where an attorney can be extremely helpful. |
| driver receives jail time. Texas, on the other hand, | | | | Arrest for driving under the influence has serious |
| suspends licenses for 90 days after the first office | | | | consequences. In addition to examining their own |
| and 180 days after the second and third offenses. | | | | behaviors, individuals can protect themselves by |
| Some states require counseling or other treatment if | | | | making sure a DUI lawyer represents them in the |
| alcohol or drug addiction is suspected. | | | | judicial system. |
| Forty-three states prohibit passengers and drivers | | | | |