DUI/DWI
Driving under influence (DUI) or Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is the same, which refers to driving the motor vehicles while impaired by alcohol or other substances, which are illegal. In some states this both are interchangeable. They are given different weight in different countries and use opposite acronym.
DUI and DWI are related to not only alcohol but also illegal narcotics, prescription medicine and any other substance that may affect driving.
Differences between DUI and DWI:
Even though they both have same sounding, DUI is lesser charge than the DWI because it is treated as less intoxication as determined by the blood alcohol content (BAC). DUI has less degree of damage than the DWI. Here the differences will be in the seriousness of penalties other than that there is no change in the meaning. The definition and repercussions of DUI and or DWI charge vary based on the state and the country.
In both cases, blood alcohol limit should be 0.08% for impaired drives age 0f 21 years older and in some states, 0.05% is illegal. The drivers impaired under the age of 21 years will either have 0.02% BAC or no BAC in some states which are zero tolerance.
Penalties for DUI and DWI:
The penalties vary by offense and by state. The penalties stated will have lesser degree of impact for DUI than for DWI. This may include the following:
- Jail time
- Fines
- License suspension
- Community service
- Education programs, etc.
Some states may call them as DUI penalties and some as DWI penalties. The degree of impact of penalties varies for both.
Apart from this there are also some other serious consequences of DUI or DWI. If the person who is drunk and driving the car injures a person or becomes the reason for the persons death then he/she will be sentenced to punishments like several years of prison and if they drive the vehicle with more than 0.08% influence this also results in long sentence to prison.
In some states DUI or DWI itself a big crime and will be considered as big crime even though the person does not harm anyone.
Even when the person is guilty in what he/she did, the punishment will be same if the BAC is 0.08% and more. Therefore, people with DUI or DWI should know this so that you can avoid the penalties and punishments given by law or else take the help of lawyer who can help you to get rid of the punishment given by law.