DUI - Driving Under the Influence

The best advice I can offer regarding a DUI is not to drink alcohol and then drive a motor vehicle.  Besides risking being prosecuted for a criminal offense, driving while impaired can easily result in a serious accident or death of a person.  Such a situation will likely result in a prosecution for either an Aggravated Assault or a Manslaughter.  Prosecutors generally seek prison sentences for such crimes.  Few circumstances can change a person's life faster than causing the death of another person by driving while impaired.  Many people are unaware that driving with an alcohol level below the legal limit can also result in a prosecution for a DUI.  Even over the counter medications or prescription medications can be the basis for a DUI charge if those medications result in the slightest impairment to a driver.  If you plan to drink alcohol, take a taxi or use a designated driver.  It is better than ruining your life or some else's life in an instant.

      If you are pulled over by an officer who suspects you may be impaired, you should not answer any questions.  You are not ever required to answer questions posed by a police officer.  You are required to present your driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.  Generally speaking, refusing all tests at the roadside is the better choice.  Even completely sober drivers can fail many of those tests.  In any event, it is the officer who decides how you performed on those tests.  You may not agree with the officer's conclusion.  You may be required to exit your vehicle whether you are the driver or the passenger.  You should always request to speak to an attorney immediately. 

      Punishments for DUI offenses include mandatory jail, mandatory fines, counseling, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices and generally cause insurance rates to increase.  Punishments are severely increased for multiple DUI convictions.  Committing a DUI while your driver's license is suspended or revoked for any reason can result in prosecution for a felony offense.  A felony conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life.  DUI is an easy crime to avoid.  Adults of legal age should feel free to drink alcohol, but are required to do so responsibly.  Driving after drinking alcohol is not responsible, and can easily result in dramatically changing your life for the worse in an instant.   In short, don't do it.