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Today it seems that you hear the abbreviation constantly. DUI task forces are constantly on the news. However, not everyone understands the basics of a DUI are or even what DUI stands for.
Today it seems that you hear the abbreviation constantly. DUI task forces are constantly on the news. However, not everyone understands the basics of a DUI are or even what DUI stands for. Basically, the abbreviation DUI stands for "driving under the influence." Typically, this means that someone has gotten behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and has driven while being under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. Each state has different requirements regarding DUI's, but in all of them driving under the influence of a substance is illegal. A DUI charge is a criminal charge. Though alcohol is legal to drink for individuals over 21, driving while your blood/alcohol content is above the legal limits is illegal. Additionally, being under the influence of illegal drugs is obviously a crime, but driving while being impaired by even prescription medications can be a crime as well. Today many police officers are on the lookout for people who might be driving under the influence. Often, it is their erratic driving that will originally draw the officer's eye to their vehicle. Typically, this is because when someone is driving under the influence of a substance their focus and reaction time may be significantly diminished. Initially, if an officer pulls you over he will question you if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. From there he will probably have you perform some field sobriety tests. These test your coordination and reactions. It may be walking on a straight line or stand on one leg and touch your nose with each hand. Should he feel the driver is DUI he will ask the driver to submit to a breathalyzer test or even blood tests to check your current levels are. It is necessary to remember that laws vary from state to state but most will allow the driver to decide which advanced test to take. There is also something called implied consent, which is found in each state. What this means is that at the time you got your license you consented to be tested if you were stopped. The point here is that driving is a privilege and you are putting many innocent people on the road and yourself in danger. There are many consequences for DUI depending what state it occurred in. Jail stays, community service, fines, suspension of your driver's license and probation are the more common and which depends on the severity of the infraction. Needless to say if your levels were way over the legal limit or this is not your first time for being charged with DUI you can expect to be punished more severely than a first time offender. DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. For top quality information on DUI Maine, please visit this site which has very good help with Maine DUI attorney. |