DWI Facts

If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI), you can expect to face serious criminal charges if you are convicted of the offense. While the exact penalties for drunk driving vary based on the laws in your area, when it comes to the basic DWI facts, the guidelines are pretty consistent in all fifty states.

Regardless of where you live, it is against the law to operate a vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What’s more, from a legal perspective, anyone driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered impaired—even if his or her ability to drive is not affected.

While the 0.08% BAC limit is a federally enforced law, many states also impose lower limits for drivers under the age of 21, as well as those who operate a commercial vehicle. In addition, the laws in some areas allow officers to arrest drivers who have BACs well below the legal limit, yet show signs of impairment.

Depending on the laws in your area, the penalties for even a first-time DWI conviction can often include hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, a lengthy license suspension, and time behind bars. Repeat offenders and drivers who were involved in a serious auto accident or driving with an excessively high BAC may face tougher penalties as well. Likewise, if you are arrested for DWI and have a child in your vehicle, you could face additional criminal charges for endangering a minor.

In addition to the criminal penalties associated with a DWI conviction, you may also encounter long-term difficulties in your personal life. Once you have been found guilty of drunk driving, your auto insurance rates are sure to increase—often to two or three times more than what you currently pay. Your job may also be at risk if your sentence includes community service, alcohol counseling, or DUI school, as you will have to take time off work to complete these programs.

Finally, because drunk driving is a serious criminal offense, your conviction will remain on your criminal record long after you have completed the terms of your sentence. This means that anyone who checks your background will see that you were found guilty of drunk driving—a fact that can cause problems when you apply for a new job or housing. In fact, you may even be ineligible for certain educational programs due to your conviction.

To improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome for your case, check your local listings to find an attorney who specializes in DWI defense. Remember, with all the penalties a conviction can cost you, having a strong defense strategy can be your best tactic for success. Discuss your case with an experienced DWI attorney in your area today.

States and Cities:
AK	Alaska, Anchorage	LA	Louisiana, New Orleans	OH	Ohio, Cincinnati
AL	Alabama, Montgomery	MA	Massachusetts, Boston	OK	Oklahoma, Tulsa
AR	Arkansas, Little Rock	MD	Maryland, Baltimore	OR	Oregon, Portland
AZ	Arizona, Phoenix	ME	Maine, Portland	PA	Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
CA	California, Los Angeles	MI	Michigan, Detroit	RI	Rhode Island, Providence
CO	Colorado, Denver	MN	Minnesota, Duluth	SC	South Carolina, Charleston
CT	Connecticut, Hartford	MO	Missouri, Branson	SD	South Dakota, Sioux Falls
DE	Delaware, Wilmington	MS	Mississippi, Jackson	TN	Tennessee, Nashville
FL	Florida, Orlando	MT	Montana, Bozeman	TX	Texas, Houston
GA	Georgia, Atlanta	NC	North Carolina, Charoltte	UT	Utah, Salt Lake City
HI	Hawaii, Honolulu	ND	North Dakota, Fargo	VT	Vermont, Burlington
IA	Iowa, Des Moines	NE	Nebraska, Omaha	VA	Virginia, Richmond
ID	Idaho, Boise	NH	New Hampshire, Portsmouth	WA	Washington, Seattle
IL	Illinois, Chicago	NJ	New Jersey, Newark	WI	Wisconsin, Milwaukee
IN	Indiana, Indianapolis	NM	New Mexico, Albuquerque	WV	West Virginia, Charleston
KS	Kansas, Kansas City	NV	Nevada, Las Vegas	WY	Wyoming, Cheyenne
KY	Kentucky, Lexington	NY	New York, New York	DC	Washington DC