Laws on Drinking and Driving

As they say, drinking and driving do not mix.  To deter drivers from using alcohol, state laws regarding drinking and driving have become much harsher in the recent years.  Do to this fact, it would be an invaluable decision to retain a D.U.I lawyer if you are are charged with a D.U.I

Presently, depending on the state your convicted of as D.U.I in, your license may be suspended or revoked,you can do jail time, get fined, put on probation, or forced to enroll in a rehab program.  If you have a prior D.U.I. conviction, your penalty will be especially serious.

Every state has its own standard for determining when a driver is under the influence of alcohol and should not be behind the wheel.  This applies to driving under the influence of illicit drugs.  In California, all it takes is .08  BAC to be convicted.

If your stopped by a police officer and he suspects that you have been drinking, you may be asked to take a preliminary breath test, which gives the officer a measure of the level of alcohol in your blood.  This ay give the officer sufficient probable cause to arrest you.

If you are arrested and taken to the police station you may be asked to take a breathalyzer test,  which will give a very accurate of your intoxication level.

Legally, you can refuse to take a roadside sobriety test but the officer can arrest you you anyway if he or she expects your intoxicated because speech is slurred, your eyes are blood shot, or if you are weaving when you stand.  At the police station you can also refuse to take any of these tests may be used against you in court.  Also, if you are involved in a traffic collision, a blood sample may be forcefully drawn.

Also, a loophole, when you receive your drivers license your state assumes that you have given implied consent to be tested.