by Don Zens

Created on: April 08, 2010

For those who have consumed many drinks and you, yourself are impaired in which case you drive a vehicle then you'll be a drunk driver. 

There are 3 different ways you could potentially be charged should you be caught driving. There could be DUI which implies Driving under the Influence. There could be DWI which suggests Driving While Impaired. Then there may be also OUIL which implies operating a vehicle while Under the Influence of intoxication Liquor. 

For anybody who is caught driving you will have to drop by court. When you find yourself at court you could attempt to argue that you weren't drunk along with the officer had no reason to drag you over. There are actually video cameras inside the squad cars and all of the swerving you're doing while driving was caught on tape.

Even if you were not swerving or falling down you could still be considered drunk. All states have their maximum blood alcohol content set differently. A majority have the level set at 0.08%. If you blow in the machine and your blood levels come back at this or even higher you are legally drunk. If you blow below the level you could still be charged just depending on how you were driving.

If you are charged with any type of drinking and driving the charge might say per se after it. This means you could be charged with two counts if your blood alcohol content was above the legal limits. If your blood alcohol content is not known then the per se charge will not hold up in court.

If you find yourself facing charges for drinking and driving it is never a good idea to represent yourself. It is always best to talk with an attorney and have them represent you. They might be able to work something out with the courts so the charges are not as bad.

Each state is set up differently with the punishments they give you for the charges. The thing to remember is all drunk driving charges could have jail sentences with them. If this is your first charge your attorney might be able to work something out with the courts so you do not go to jail. You might lose your drivers license for a period of time, have steep fines, and find yourself going to drunk driver's education classes, AA meetings or even on probation. If you have had many driving while drunk charges the courts could require you to install a ignition interlock on your vehicle. This means every time before the car will start you will have to blow into a machine so it can make sure you are under the limits.

If you are drunk and you get in a wreck and kill someone you will find yourself in a huge mess. Now you will be looking at manslaughter or second degree murder charges.

Whatever you are charged with will be on your criminal records for the rest of your life. Your arrest records will show everything from the arrest to probation. These are public records for anyone to view for any reason. Simple background checks on your name will show everything you have done in your life.

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