Learn More About Oregon DUI
Chapter 813 of Oregon law states the laws regarding driving under influence or DUI in the state of Oregon. A person in Oregon is charged with DUI if he or she is found to have an alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more in the bloodstream while driving. This limit is different for minors or those under 21 and also for commercial drivers. The Oregon DUI laws states zero tolerance for minors or drivers under 21. Any minor found driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent is arrested on charges of DUI. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04 percent.
The laws regarding DUI in Oregon also prohibit driving while intoxicated with any inhalant and drugs like cocaine, marijuana and others. The penalties for drunken driving in the state of Oregon are jail sentences, hefty fines, community service, enrollment in treatment programs, suspension of driver’s license, installation of the ignition interlock device, and so on. The penalty may be a combination of a few of these, depending on the seriousness of the offense. Penalties differ depending on the severity of the offense and also on whether the offender has any past DUI records or not.
First Time Oregon DUI Offenders
For a first time DUI conviction in the state of Oregon, penalties include a jail sentence for at least 48 hours or up to one year. The offender is also instructed by the court to participate in community service programs for eighty hours. The amount of fines ranges from $1,000 to $10,000. The fine is as high as $10,000 if the driver was accompanied by a child under eighteen years of age. The offender will also have to take part in DUI diversion program and must pay a minimum fine of $300 for various DUI fees.
The Oregon DUI offender’s driver’s license is suspended for one year and after the completion of the suspension period, the driver has to install an ignition interlock device in his or her car. The court may also order the offender to take part in alcohol treatment programs and victim impact programs.
Second Time Oregon DUI Offenders
For a second DUI conviction in the state of Oregon, the punishments remain the same although their intensities are more. The offender is sentenced to jail for at least one year. The minimum amount of fine that he or she has to pay is $1,500 instead of $1,000. The maximum amount of fine and the DUI fees remain the same. The offender’s license is suspended for a term of three years if the convicted is arrested within five years of the first offense. The offender is ordered to install an ignition interlock device for two years after his or her driver’s license is suspended.
Third Time Oregon DUI Offenders
If any individual in Oregon is convicted of DUI for a third time within ten years, it is considered to be a class C felony under Oregon DUI laws. The punishments of felonies are much harsher than ordinary crimes or misdemeanors. The offender may be sentenced to serve a jail sentence for five years. The minimum amount of fine that he or she has to pay is to $2,000. In such cases, the driver’s license is permanently revoked. The offender is made to go through alcohol treatment programs. In special cases, the DUI offender also has to actively take part in victim impact programs.
Ignition Interlock Device for DUI Offenders
The ignition installation device is installed in the offender’s car. This device is programmed in such a manner that it does not start the car if the driver has a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more. The driver has to breathe into the ignition interlock device and the machine registers if physical and mental capacities are impaired.
More Information About Oregon DUI Laws
You may visit http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/813.html to know about Oregon DUI laws in greater detail. This website is maintained by the Oregon government and lists all the state codes regarding drunken driving.
The law mandates for all vehicles to have minimum insurance coverage. This is of utmost importance and the amount of insurance varies depending on the liability. Many people ask how many drinks make one have a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more. While this varied from one individual to another, it can be said that the best act would be not to drive while you are drunk. Drinking impairs any person's driving abilities and drunken driving leads to accidents.
Oregon DUI Records
The DUI record of each person is maintained by the law authorities. Personal records are not accessible by anybody other than qualified personnel. You may apply for the following record inquiry at the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles:
1. If you are a parent of a minor and want your child’s records
2. If you want your own records
3. If you are an attorney or any other authorized person
While requesting for a records inquiry you must attach the following:
A written formal request stating you want your own records. Access the form from http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/7266.pdf.
• Sufficient information like vehicle identification number, owner information and the plate number.
• You must also include date of birth, driver’s license number and residential address in case you want driver records.
Mail your request to Oregon DMV, Attn: Record Services, 1905 Lana Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97314.
Requests must be forwarded to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters at Salem. Your reports will be mailed to you at the address you specify.
For more information on how to access records visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/faqs/records.shtml#Rec.
DUI is serious offense and a drunken driving conviction can not only affect your life, reckless driving may also bring about irreversible damage to other lives. The Oregon DUI laws are designed to lower drunken driving and the accidents due to it in the state of Oregon.
|
