Most people instinctively know not to drive drunk, however many people don’t understand that just a couple drinks or a few beers is considered under the influence. Since 2002, every state in the union has laws stating that any blood alcohol content greater than 0.08% is sufficient for a citation and, in some cases, jail time. Even with a good DUI lawyer, you will have to endure some punishment for the crime. These are the most common consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
meetings
Drinking and driving is often a symptom of a deeper problem, such as alcoholism and drug addiction. For this reason, many judges will determine that you have to attend alcohol and drug addiction meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or another similar program in your area. The idea is to help you with the addiction rather than to punish you for your offense.
Victim impact meetings are also commonly prescribed as a treatment/punishment for driving under the influence. These gatherings allow the driver to meet with family and friends of those who have been killed or maimed by a drunk driver. For many people, these are eye-opening events that shake their foundations.
Suspended License – Driving Restrictions
If you have two or more DUIs in a short period of time, the legal problems you face will multiply exponentially. It largely depends on where you live and how skilled your DUI attorney is, but you could face suspension of your driver’s license or other driving restrictions. Today, in many states there is a push for more interlock devices in the vehicles of those who have been caught under the influence and behind the wheel.
An interlock device is a breathalyzer that is attached to your ignition. Before you can start the vehicle, you must pass a breath test. This machine will prevent your vehicle from starting if your blood alcohol content exceeds a preset limit. Once you start rolling, the machine will beep intermittently for a breath sample, preventing someone from breathing for you if you’ve been drinking. These machines are not cheap, you will have to pay for the installation of the devices, in addition to monitoring.
Conclution
Drinking and driving is a bad idea in every way, but it does happen and when it does, your first order of business is to contact a DUI lawyer. A good lawyer will advise you on the best course of action and help you minimize the consequences.
