DUI Laws - DUI penalties

All 50 States

Each State in the US has drunk driving - DUI laws

The maximum BAC (blood alcohol content) level is 0.08% per se in ALL States.

Drunk driving, commonly known as drink driving, DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants), OUI (operating under the influence), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OMVI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated), DUIL (driving under the influence of liquor), DWAI (driving while ability impaired), DWUI (driving while under the influence) or DUBAL (driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level).

In the United States it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.08% or above. This legal prescribed limit is what is known as 'per se' laws. Although the maximum legal prescribed limit is 0.08%, there is often lower legal limits for young inexperienced drivers, commercial drivers and professional drivers.

In addition to the 'per se' laws, drivers can also be prosecuted and it is illegal to drive a vehicle while visibly impaired through alcohol or drugs regardles of a drivers BAC (blood alcohol content).

If charged with DUI or a related offence, in most States, it will usually involve two separate cases, a criminal case and an administrative driving license case. Drivers license revocation or suspension will inevitably follow a DUI - DWI - Drunk driving conviction and sometimes before a conviction if a chemical test has been refused. Possible forfeiture and seizure of your vehicle could also be a possibility and ignition interlock drivers license restrictions are common.

Other punishments when convicted of a DUI drunk driving related offense inclued imprisonment in a state or county jail, house arrest, ignition interlock restrictions, community service, drug and/or alcohol screening, alcohol and/or subtance evaluations, alcohol and/or subtance treatment programs, drivers license revocations or suspensions, license plate confiscation, vehicle impoundment and vehicle confiscation.

Drivers convicted of a DUI drunk driving related offence will also see an increase in their auto insurance rates and will often have to submit an SR-22 filing, also known as SR-22 insurance. Find out the period of time you are required to be covered by SR22 auto insurance in your state.

If you or someone you care about has been charged with DUI drunk driving or other alcohol related driving offense then it is recommended that you contact an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible, this is especially important if there are one or more aggravating factors involved in the DUI drunk driving case.