Teenage Drunk Driving Laws and Consequences

More than 3000 teenagers die every year in drunk driving accidents. Teenagers put themselves and others in a grave amount of danger when they get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence. It is for these reasons that the laws and penalties for teenage drunk driving are tough throughout the country.

→ Read More

How does a DUI affect your record?

A drunk driving conviction, otherwise known as a DUI or DWI, has two aspects. The first aspect is the administrative drivers license suspension. The second aspect consists of one or more criminal charges. The criminal aspect is governed by criminal law and dictates fines, fees, penalties, sentencing and parole or probation.

→ Read More

Drunk Driving Law

There are a number of common DUI and DWI law terms that can be helpful to someone who finds themselves arrested for drunk driving. Some of the DUI terms listed here refer to the arrest itself, while others have to do with the legal process that follows. If you need further clarification regarding DUI and DWI law definitions, your DUI attorney can help you better understand the terms that apply to your specific drunk driving case.

→ Read More

If I’m pulled over, what types of DUI roadside tests can the officer ask me to perform?

If you are pulled over and a police officer suspects that you have been drinking, he or she will ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests (FSTs). The driver will generally be asked to perform simple tests to measure their physical dexterity or mental acuity. These types of field sobriety tests are known as divided attention tests, because they test the types of abilities that are needed to operate a motor vehicle.

→ Read More

Can I refuse to take a roadside breath test or other field sobriety tests?

You have the option of refusing a roadside sobriety test, but each individual situation will depend on a number of factors. A ‘roadside breath test,’ also called a preliminary alcohol screening test or ‘PAS,’ indicates the presence of alcohol based on a breath sample. Unlike the chemical test, where refusal to submit may have serious consequences, in most states you are not legally required to take any field sobriety tests or FSTs. However, keep in mind that your refusal may suggest to the officer that you have something to hide and incite further examination of whether or not you have been drinking.

→ Read More

Do I have a choice which BAC test I take, and if so, what should I choose?

In most states, there are three ways of determining how much alcohol you have in your system: breath or blood, and in a few states, urine. The urine test has fallen into disfavor because retention of urine for hours results in mixing in the bladder urine with higher concentrations of alcohol and urine with lower concentrations, thus distorting the results. California, for example, stopped offering a urine test in 1999, except in unusual circumstances. Usually, you can choose which sobriety test you want to take.

→ Read More