Listed below are key factors that may increase your DUI penalties, boost your DUI charge up from a misdemeanor to a felony, or add charges filed against you. This is not a complete and exhaustive list, however, be sure to check your local laws and consult with an experienced DUI attorney in your state, city, or county for more information. Always remember to never ever plead guilty to DUI without first becoming informed exactly of what consequences will result. To clarify, each states' laws, penalties, and enhancement provisions are unique, and have mandatory minimum sentences, not waived or negotiated.
DUI Related
High BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) - A lot of states increase the penalties and charges based on how high your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level was. A BAC result above a .15 or .20 will usually lead to increased punishment and the filing of additional charges against you. Check your local applicable laws and be sure to read up on how your state punishes "per se" violations.
Prior Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test - If you have been arrested for a DUI before, and you refused to give a sample of your breath, blood, and/or urine for purposes of testing your BAC, you may face enhanced or additional charges if you refused the chemical test again. Additionally, separate laws apply to how your driving privileges will be suspended for refusals, so be sure to check your local Implied Consent Laws.
Process of Driving
Driving Without Required Ignition Interlock Device - If supposed to be driving with interlock ignition device, clearly anytime arrested for DUI it will not be first offense. Not only will you be violating the terms of your prior conviction or probation. Now you will face an increase in charge and punishments for any consecutive DUI you may obtain.
Driving with An Open Container - Hopefully if pulled over for DUI, you did not have any open bottles of liquor in cup holders. Driving with an open container is a separate crime from DUI in and of itself. So never ever drive with an open bottle of liquor in your vehicle. Let's face it, having it in your car certainly would never help you defend your DUI case! Imagine physical sobriety exercises - "Excuse me officer, can you hold my beer while I do the walk and turn?" Check your local open container laws to see how a violation will affect your DUI.
Traffic Infractions
Accident/Injury - DUI accident cases are very serious and carry very serious consequences. Additional charges and increased punishments will result depending on how badly people injured. For example, states with DUI serious bodily injury charges (like Florida, for example) have severe penalties that will be imposed even if the person who was seriously injured was you!
Driving With a Suspended License - No matter what state your in, it's a crime in and of itself to Drive With a Suspended License (DWLS). If busted for DWLS while pulled over and suspected for DUI, it certainly wont help chances of avoiding an arrest. If a DUI and DWLS charged separately, once convicted you may likely requiring to serve your sentences consecutively.
Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance/Registration - It is not uncommon to receive ticket for failure to provide proof of insurance or registration along with DUI citation. Maybe get lucky and officer will not give you ticket for failing to provide necessary proof of insurance and registration. Since you are already being arrested for DUI. In some jurisdictions you may be able to get the charges dismissed once you go to courthouse. Presenting the proper documents showing your car registered and insured at time pulled over.
Vehicle Operation
Speeding or Reckless Driving - Receiving a ticket for speeding or reckless driving at same time pulled over for DUI, may be costly. Some states will not enhance your DUI penalties as a result of speeding. That is unless you were driving a certain amount over the posted speed limit (usually about 20 MPH over). It is especially important to consult with an attorney when you are facing multiple charges. You may be able to have them consolidated for more efficient and cost effective litigation.
Racing- Some states make it a separate or enhanced charge if you receive a DUI after being pulled over for racing. Other times it may lead to a charge of reckless driving. It is never a smart idea to race your car if suspected of having a couple drinks.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals/Other Traffic Law Violations - Anytime pulled over for DUI you potentially run the risk of additional charges. It really depends on why your pulled over in the first place. Also, if the officers observed you committing any traffic infractions prior to your stop. For example, if initially pulled over for speeding, and then the officer suspects DUI. You may find yourself arrested for DUI and given a speeding ticket. Clients known to have received several citations stemming from same stop - DUI, speeding, improper lane change, etc. It is important to note that the more violations you get the more complex your case becomes. So while concerned with DUI charge, you must prepare to deal with other violations as well.
Minor Related
Child Endangerment - A DUI arrest while driving with a child in your car is not an easy factor to defend. Some states have age limits (6 or younger) and such a situation could be especially damaging to your case. Prosecutors and judges may be less sympathetic. You may run the risk of losing custody of a child, or encounter problems from social services.
Underage Minor - All 50 states have enacted "Zero Tolerance" laws, making it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any amount of alcohol. This means that even in states that have a .08 policy, minors pulled over for drunk driving who register even a .001 arrested for DUI.
DUI in a School or Construction Zone - For obvious reasons, lower speed limits and traffic violations are increased. Obviously if occur in a school or construction zone. These laws are in place to protect any potential child or worker from incurring any harm. Drinking and driving is dangerous enough, and in school and construction zones its even worse. A conviction of DUI while in such a zone may result in higher punishments, additional charges, etc.
Property Related
Property Damage - States that have DUI property damage statutes make it a separate and more severe crime for DUI cases that result in property damage. Usually triggered when damage estimated over a certain dollar amount. Such cases are complex and sometimes unfair, as the charge is normally based on a damage assessment made by the police (who are not the most qualified for such estimations).
Other Factors
Prior Convictions - If you have a previous DUI on your record you may face increased penalties. Some states require the conviction to be within a certain number of years, as others do not. Some jurisdictions even count convictions received in other states.
Mandatory vs. Discretionary sentence enhancements in DUI cases
Sentence enhancements may be mandatory or discretionary depending on the laws of your state. This means in some states, if one of the factors listed above charged concurrently with your DUI, your punishment will increase whether a Judge wants to or not. Fortunately most penalty increases based on facts and needs proven. Therefore, consult with an experienced DUI attorney, equipped to help with your defense.
In most states, sentence enhancements usually served consecutively with a DUI sentence. They are also extremely difficult to reduce, waived, deferred or suspended.
Increase in Charges
Misdemeanor vs. Felony- The existence of DUI enhancement factors in your case may lead to an increase of your DUI charge from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Manslaughter vs. Murder - For accident cases resulting in a death, depending on your state, special circumstances may even increase your DUI manslaughter charge to murder. Again, highly recommended to consult with an attorney. Even do research the penalty provisions in your state.
To find out exactly what you face in your DUI case, choose the state, city, or county to contact a highly qualified local attorney to discuss the specifics of your case.
Summary
No matter what state your in, accused of DUI a serious charge with serious consequences. Even for first time offenders, a DUI conviction could result in excessive fines, community service, loss of your driving privileges, electronic monitoring, instillation of an ignition interlock device, even jail time.
A guilty plea or conviction will go on criminal record, depending on what state your in, it may stay forever. You run the risk of other consequences as well. The social stigma of a DUI charge can be devastating to your reputation and career. If you are a student, or a member of a professional association, usually required to disclose the incident. Points possibly added to your license and increase your insurance costs. Finally, depending on the circumstances of your case, civil lawsuits possibly filed against you as well.
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