by Rolland Judd

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: January 31, 2009

As you slowly rouse yourself from deep slumber to a waking state the memories of the night before come flooding back into your consciousness. You remember the flashing lights. You remember the feel of the handcuffs around your wrists and the clicking sound they made as a man with a badge tightened them secure. You remember ink on your fingers and waking up your friend in the middle of the night to come and bail you out of jail. Gradually opening your eyes you realize that you got a DUI last night, and as you realize this you put your head back on your pillow and try to imagine that you're dreaming.

Unfortunately, reality sets in and you eventually accept that this is no dream. You begin to remember a few people you left the bar with who wisely suggested that you take a cab home. Questioning over and over again why you didn't heed their words instead of foolishly announcing "I'm fine" and getting into your car, you begin to feel a little pinch in your stomach. You realize this painful pinch you are feeling is fear. What have you gotten yourself into?

Half the reason you are feeling afraid is merely lack of knowledge on the subject of DUI/DWI charges. You don't know what to do or how to do it. What's going to happen now, you ask yourself.

The penalties for DUI/DWI charges vary greatly from state to state, so the first thing you are going to want to do is research your state's DUI/DWI laws. As the penalties vary from state to state so do the subtleties of the law. The one constant is if you take a breathalyzer test and blow a .08% BAC or higher, that is considered drunk driving in all fifty states.

Potential penalties for DUI/DWI convictions can include: Probation (supervised or unsupervised), loss or suspension of drivers license, seizure of vehicle, fines, mandatory drug/alcohol counseling or classes, community service, jail time, requirement of high-risk insurance and the installation of an ignition interlock device which will not allow your car to start unless you pass a breathalyzer test that is secured to the ignition unit in your car. In most cases, if it is your first offense, you aren't going to do any real jail time. The rest of these penalties, however, are potentially applicable.

You are going to have to face a judge on your court date who is endowed with knowledge about your arrest and the pertaining circumstances, so you want to be prepared. Hiring an attorney would be the wisest decision if you aren't particularly schooled in the DUI/DWI laws in your

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