Types of DUI Penalties

Driving while being the under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered to be an offense in all countries of the world. In such a state, the motor skills of the driver are affected. Driving under influence is considered to be illegal and is therefore punishable in all US jurisdictions. These offenses are therefore subjected to DUI penalties. DUI offenses include operating while impaired (OWI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). The DUI penalties are also applicable to flying an aircraft as well as boating.

DUI penalties are imposed upon bodily inspection of the driver by the on-duty officer or by conducting Field Sobriety Tests. The officer can make an arrest if he has enough reasons to believe that the driver is drunk. The arrested individual can be asked to take a chemical test at the police station.

Why Are DUI Penalties Imposed?

As per statistics, as many as 40% of the total accidents in the United States occur as a result of driving under the influence. DUI penalties are imposed as a strict preventive measure so that drivers remain careful about this. All the states in the country have their respective DUI penalties which are imposed upon calculation of per se breath or blood alcohol level.

When the level of BAC or blood alcohol concentration of an individual is .08% or more, then it is considered to be a second driving criminal offense. There are certain states like Colorado where a lesser charge is imposed when a BAC level of .05% to .08% is detected. It is then regarded as a driving while impaired offense. Wisconsin laws are exceptions in this case, as “first offense drunk driving arrests” are usually forfeited.

There are six states in the country that require doctors to report drivers who drive while intoxicated. The laws of as many as 25 states authorize the doctors to go against the patient-physician confidentiality terms and report drunk drivers.

What Are the Various DUI Penalties?

If the driver is found guilty of DUI offenses, then he/she will have to face the DUI penalties.  These penalties depend on the severity of the offenses and also on whether it is a repeat offense. The DUI penalties may vary from one state to another but are more or less of uniform character.

The DUI penalties may range from the imposition of fines and probation to a prison term sentence, from setting up of the ignition interlock devices to other special DUI programs or DUI school. These are largely dependant on the state laws. In some jurisdictions, where the driver is found to have a BAC level of more than 0.15 or more than 0.20, then he/she is subject to face severe penalties.

All these DUI penalties are imposed to deter the driver from committing similar offenses in the future and thereby minimize the risk to the lives of others. The state of Wisconsin does not cancel the driving license of the offender even after he/she has been found guilty a number of times. 

State-Specific DUI Penalty Information:

Arizona DUI Penalties

California DUI Penalties

Florida DUI Penalties

Illinois DUI Penalties