DWI and DUI are acronyms for driving under the influence of alcohol. It is illegal in every US jurisdiction to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Field sobriety tests and chemical testing are used to determine guilt, and repeat offenders may lose their driving privileges and become uninsurable.
DWI is an acronym that applies to the operation of motor vehicles and a violation of driving laws. DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Intoxicated. DUI, or driving under the influence, is another acronym that is sometimes used for the same violation. Every jurisdiction in the United States has a law that prohibits drivers from operating their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
A DWI offense applies when a driver is stopped by police and found to have a blood alcohol level at or above the legal limit. The legal level of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or 8 grams of alcohol per 100 deciliters of blood. Any driver who is pulled over for erratic driving or who is suspected by an officer of having been drinking may be asked to take a breath test or blood test. Refusal of evidence for a possible DWI offense is the same as an admission of guilt.
During a DWI investigation, once the police have stopped a suspected driver, a field sobriety test will be administered. Field sobriety tests on suspected DWI stops may include heel-to-toe walking in a straight line, standing on one foot, reciting a part of the alphabet, and other tasks that require mental and physical coordination. If a driver fails a field sobriety test, they are typically required to breathe into a preliminary screening device commonly known as a breathalyzer.
If an officer determines that, as a result of a field sobriety or breathalyzer test, the driver should be arrested, they will take the driver to the police station for chemical testing. Typically, the chemical test is a blood test, although in some jurisdictions, the chemical test may be a urine test. A driver who has a BAC of .08 or higher is held in jail until he can appear before a judge.
State laws regarding DWI offenses vary slightly, although it is illegal in every jurisdiction to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Laws regarding the operation of other vehicles, such as airplanes and jet skis, also vary by jurisdiction. A DWI charge resulting from the use of prescription drugs or illegal drugs can also be viewed differently in each jurisdiction or state. Repeat DWI offenders typically lose their driving privileges and may also become uninsurable.
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