The abbreviation DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence.” More commonly, people refer to it as drunk driving. However, that is not necessarily an appropriate meaning because a DUI does not simply refer to alcohol which drunk driving implies. A DUI can actually refer to alcohol, but also other drugs legal and illicit. Additionally, people may thing that you can only get a DUI while driving a car, but that is not true. In fact, a DUI can be given for those driving cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks, and even planes.

DUI’s are treated as a criminal offense, which increases the severity of the consequences. The primary reason for this is that when you get your driver’s license, you have to pass a written test where you display your knowledge of what driving under the influence can bring about. Additionally, when you are caught for a DUI, you are not simply putting yourself at risk, but you are actually putting everyone else on the road at significant risk.

Typically, a DUI is determined by your Blood Alcohol Content or BAC. However, that is not the only way that you can be convicted of a DUI. The legal limits vary from state to state so you need to be sure that you are aware of what your local limits are.

If you go behind the wheel of a car be sure you know what other things fall under the DUI category. It is not alcohol alone but also illegal drugs and many prescription ones that warn of “operating machinery”. All can lead to a DUI conviction.

There are also some strange ways to get a DUI and in some cases you will be surprised that such an offense can come from the use of a supposedly harmless product. Good examples of this are cough syrups and cold medicines. However, it is logical if you think about it since they do have alcohol as an ingredient and if you take too much then it is possible for your BAC to be above the legal limit.

Should you be arrested for DUI the consequences you face for it depending on the state you are in as rules vary but they also have some in common such as fines, suspension and restrictions on your license, probation and in some cases jail time.

If is also worth noting that if you are arrested for a DUI you are most likely in for a surprise with your insurance premiums. When you are convicted, you will have to file an SR-22, and your insurance may elect to drop you. Additionally, you have instantly become harder to insure. You are a bigger risk for the company so you will have to pay higher premiums and most likely a higher deductible.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

For top quality information on DUI laws in Maine, please visit this site which has very good help with this site.

Don’t drink and drive. It’s a very simple rule and yet many people violate it. If you’re facing a DUI case, you can still escape from punishment through the help of a capable criminal defense lawyer.

Drinking under liquor influence is a bad thing to do because you’re putting yourself in danger and other people in the road. Oftentimes, punishment includes suspension of your driver’s license so make sure that you act immediately. If you’re brought to jail and you’re required to post bail to ensure your freedom, contact your defense lawyer at once.

After being bailed out, it’s now time to talk with your lawyer and handle the matter in court together. In the US, DUI cases are divided into 2 cases – the criminal court case and the case under the Department of Motor Vehicles. These cases should be handled within ten days beginning on the date of your arrest.

Like all other criminal court cases, it will start with the arraignment. Most defense lawyers will tell their client to plead ‘not guilty’ even if they’re guilty of the crime. If this is the case, your defense lawyer will have ample time to review all the case facts to establish defense.

There are so many defense strategies that the lawyer can use to prove your innocence. DUI is not as grave as murder, so try to relax and remember not to commit it next time around.

Most defense lawyers will argue that there is lack of evidence or probably cause when the police stopped your car. By making this argument, evidences to be presented by the police may be suppressed.

Another good argument is the faulty result of the ‘blood alcohol test’ or BAC. Through this test, the alcohol level in the person’s blood can be determined. Unsafe driving can only happen once the individual has reached the maximum limit of the alcohol level. Faulty results may be due to improper administration of the BAC test, improperly maintained test equipments, or your lawyer can also argue that you have a medical health condition which impairs the test’s reliability.

The defense lawyer can also attack the witnesses, particularly the officer who arrested you. If the defense can ruin the credibility of the police concerned, then the case will surely favor you. Some witnesses tend to feel uneasy when sitting on the witness stand and if your lawyer is intimidating, the witness may be able to give inconsistent testimonies.

If you’re guilty of DUI and your defense lawyer has done everything in his capacity to establish defense but with no luck, you may be advised to accept an agreement for the favorable plea. If you do this, the charges for your DUI case will be reduced.

Clients who wish to continue the trial despite the advice of the defense lawyer to accept such agreement mentioned above will only suffer the consequences. The accused can incur a permanent criminal record which will be attached to him for the rest of his life.

Make sure that you hire a criminal defense lawyer who is an expert in handling DUI cases. Criminal cases vary and so you really need to get a good one. If you don’t want to be charged with DUI, never drive when you’re already drunk. Preventing DUI cases is still the best so that you won’t incur any legal costs. 

Interesting news items from around the Web on DUI lawyers: 

California DUI Lawyer Center Blog: California DUI? No problem …

Welcome to California DUI Lawyer Center’s informative blog, featuring news and information on San Diego, California DUI law and Drunk Driving in Southern California! Please co…   Read more…

San Jose CA DUI Lawyer

San Jose CA DUI Lawyer. … DUI Lawyers Directory. Search for a dui lawyer near you. Operating a vehicle while � Defending Alleged Drunk Driving Criminal Acts � Read…   Read more…

NPT Articles » California DUI Lawyer Needed For Heather Locklear DUI

California DUI Lawyer Needed For Heather Locklear DUI. 24.12.2008 | Author: Rebecca Aguani | Posted in Celebrities. by Rebecca Aguani. I always wanted to be like Heather Locklear. Until …   Read more…