Archive for November, 2007

drunk driving attorney

Posted in Attorney Blogs, Criminal Attorney, DUI Attorney, DWI Attorney on November 21st, 2007

drunk driving attorney

A person is guilty of drunk driving when he or she drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and is under the influence of alcoholic or any chemical or controlled substance to the extent his or her mental faculties are impaired or blood alcohol level is above the legal limit.

All offenses that involve the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated are criminal law matters, which could potentially incur a felony conviction and possibly a prison, depending on how serious the charges are.  Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, you should contact a qualified attorney, as provided by this site, immediately if you are arrested.  drunk driving attorney

DUI Stages:
Arraignment
Plea Bargain
Preliminary Hearing
Appellate and Post Conviction
Sentencing
License Suspension
In addition to the criminal drunk driving charges brought against you, your state’s department of motor vehicles can also take administrative action against you if you are arrested for drunk driving.

Administrative License Sanctions: This term refers to any sanctions legally imposed by state agencies without first requiring court orders.  The exact scope, procedures, and limitations of administrative license sanction programs vary among states.  In general, they are used to provide consistent treatment of offenders against the state’s DUI defense laws or its DUI, DWS, DWR, and DWU laws.  Typical administrative sanctions include license suspension, mandatory evaluation or treatment, and education.
 
Depending on what state in which you are charged, drunk driving offenses can also be known as any of the following:

DUBAL: Driving with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level
DUI: Driving Under the Influence
DUII: Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant
DUIL: Driving Under the Influence of Liquor
DWAI: Driving While Ability Impaired
DWI: abbreviation could be interpreted as Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Impaired, depending on the state in which you were arrested
DWUI: Driving While Under the Influence
OMVI: Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated
OUI: Operating Under the Influence
OUIL: Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Liquor
OUIN: Operating Under the Influence of Narcotics
OWI: Operating While Intoxicated
OWVI: Operating While Visibly Impaired
UBAL: Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level

Because drunk driving laws are complex, you not only need to hire a lawyer, but one who specifically specializes in DUI defense.  Qualified dui attorneys know that some of the enforcement and judicial procedures are unconstitutional and violate motorists’ rights.  They are more well versed with the different sobriety tests and their varying accuracy levels.  Don’t give up your rights.  Contact an experienced Lead Counsel DUI lawyer who understands your particular needs and situation.