DUI Infraction
No matter which state you live in, a driving under the influence (DUI) infraction has the potential to affect your life in the present as well as the future. Those who are convicted of a DUI infraction may be subject to heavy fines, license suspension, probation, and even time behind bars. Fortunately, having a qualified DUI defense lawyer on your side can lessen the toll a drunk-driving charge has on your life.
While the laws regarding DUI infractions vary from state to state, one regulation is the same; you can be charged with drunk driving if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher while behind the wheel of a vehicle. The legal BAC limit varies for underage drivers—same states make it a crime to drive with any BAC over .00%, while others have set the limit for under 21 drivers at .02%.
All states have passed “implied consent” laws. This means that if you are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and refuse to take a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test to determine BAC, you could face penalties such as a driver’s license suspension. This suspension is typically imposed by an administrative government agency, such as the Department of Motor Services.
The penalties for a DUI infraction depend on several factors, such as the location where the incident occurred, the number of drunk-driving offenses on your record, and extenuating circumstances. Some states increase the punishment for DUI if your BAC is above a certain level (typically twice above the legal limit).
One of the most startling aspects of a DUI conviction is that your infraction will be reported on a criminal database that is easily accessible to the public. Every time you apply for a job, school, or housing, your DUI infraction could come back to haunt you. Unfortunately, many states do not allow for the expunction of a drunk-driving offense.
Mr. Willis, a very experienced Atlanta DUI attorney, says "a skilled DUI defense lawyer can launch an independent investigation into your case to determine if the evidence against you is indeed accurate. If any errors were made, he or she can file a motion to suppress the evidence, potentially leading to a dismissal, acquittal, or reduction of charges."
Submit your case online today to learn how a lawyer in your area can defend you against your DUI infraction charges.
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| States/Abbreviations: | |||||
| AK | Alaska | LA | Louisiana | OH | Ohio |
| AL | Alabama | MA | Massachusetts | OK | Oklahoma |
| AR | Arkansas | MD | Maryland | OR | Oregon |
| AZ | Arizona | ME | Maine | PA | Pennsylvania |
| CA | California | MI | Michigan | RI | Rhode Island |
| CO | Colorado | MN | Minnesota | SC | South Carolina |
| CT | Connecticut | MO | Missouri | SD | South Dakota |
| DE | Delaware | MS | Mississippi | TN | Tennessee |
| FL | Florida | MT | Montana | TX | Texas |
| GA | Georgia | NC | North Carolina | UT | Utah |
| HI | Hawaii | ND | North Dakota | VT | Vermont |
| IA | Iowa | NE | Nebraska | VA | Virginia |
| ID | Idaho | NH | New Hampshire | WA | Washington State |
| IL | Illinois | NJ | New Jersey | WI | Wisconsin |
| IN | Indiana | NM | New Mexico | WV | West Virginia |
| KS | Kansas | NV | Nevada | WY | Wyoming |
| KY | Kentucky | NY | New York | DC | Washington DC |