Law Library Articles
Top 10 Drunk Driving Articles
“Don’t drink and drive” may seem like a simple mantra, but it is not always easily followed. Based on recent American trends, each year about 112 million people will take part in alcohol-impaired driving, and about 1.4 million drivers will be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Being pulled over is a scary thing, and being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can have serious consequences. There are many misconceptions about legal issues with drinking and driving, and these articles can help.
Here are the Top 10 LegalMatch Law Library articles covering the legal aspects of drunk driving.
1. When Can My Driver’s License Be Suspended or Revoked?
There is a snowball effect that occurs when someone is arrested for driving under the influence. Multiple drunk driving arrests usually leads to a suspended or revoked license. This, coupled with other actions like not paying a traffic fine or not answering a summons, may also lead to suspension or loss of license. Then, driving without a valid license is also a crime—sometimes a felony.
2. What Happens to My License if I Am Convicted of Drunk Driving?
Each state has its own system of drunk driving laws and this article outlines various consequences by state. Age, number of offenses, and failure to take a Breathalyzer test can all result in different consequences depending on the state.
3. The First Offender’s Program
Some states offer an alternative program for people who are considered “First Offenders.” Who is considered a “First Offender” varies from state-to-state because some minor offenses may disqualify people in one state and not in another.
4. Drinking and the Legal Limit
Figuring out whether a person has drunk close to the legal limit can be difficult. A standard sized drink may produce different blood alcohol levels in all different people. This article discusses the factors that can affect one’s blood alcohol level.
5. Punishments for Driving Under the Influence
States use traditional criminal punishments for drunk driving including fines, suspension of license, and prison time. They may also use alternative sentencing programs. However, the state is not the only person who may punish a drunk driver—insurance companies, victims, and other federal entities like Immigration Services may also have punishments. Find out about various consequences of driving under the influence in this article.
6. Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License in California
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a criminal misdemeanor in California. Find out what kinds of offenses lead to a suspended or revoked driver’s license, the penalties, and possible defenses in this article.
7. Refusing a DWI Test and Implied Consent in Texas
Texas has a unique law that says by acting in a certain way, a driver impliedly consents to a chemical blood alcohol content test. The driver can refuse to take the test, but this leads to different consequences and has a higher level of risk than in other states. Learn about how this unique law can affect what happens when the Texas police stop someone.
8. Open Container Laws by State
There is still one state that allows people to consume alcohol while driving, so long as they do no go over the legal limit: Mississippi. Find out what other laws open container laws affect passengers and drivers in this article.
9. Drunk Driving Charges
Drunk driving can lead to criminal charges and civil lawsuits. It is a serious crime in all fifty states, which means it can lead to arrest and trial, not just fines like a traffic ticket. Additionally, when drunk driving hurts another person (could be a passenger, another driver, or someone who was not there like a victim’s relative) that person can sue in civil court and get monetary damages from the drunk driver.
10. What Are Your Rights During a Field Sobriety Test?
We’ve all seen the TV shows and movies where the police officer asks someone to recite the alphabet backwards or stand on one leg. Find out what may really happen during a field sobriety test in this article.
