What Are the Consequences of Driving Under the Influence

Saturday, 28 July 2007

Even in Sin City the consequences of driving while under the influence are severe; the mass quantity of people that are present on the city streets at any given point in time demands that all measures be taken to ensure their safety. The consequences of driving under the influence vary according to the extent of the damage caused, the number of offenses previously committed by the driver and their blood alcohol content.

The point at which a blood alcohol content is considered to be driving under the influence is .08%, and this will be determined by either a breathalyzer test administered by an officer at the scene or a venous blood test administered by a health care professional. If a person’s BAC is determined to be over this amount, they are a first time offender and the crime did not result in injury to another individual their license will be confiscated and a temporary, seven day one issued. Over the course of these seven days the driver must contact an attorney to see about contesting the suspension. This will result in a court hearing at which time a judge will determine the disciplinary measures to be taken. If it is determine that the license will be suspended it will be taken for a period of ninety days, at the end of which the driver can go to the DMV and apply for a new license. If there are no further offenses it may be possible to petition the courts for a restricted license after forty five days which will allow them to drive to and from their place of employment, as well as any driving required by their job. There will also be a jail sentence of two days to six months, depending on the severity of the offense, or community service to the tune of ninety six hourse, and the driver will be fined a minimum of four hundred dollars. The first time offender will also be required to attend a DUI driving school in the state of Nevada.

The second offense in seven years carries with it more serious consequences. At this point the driver is no longer eligible to apply for a restricted license and their permanent license will be suspended for at least a year. They will be required to complete a minimum of one hundred hours of community service, possibly more, and may be ordered to attend a substance abuse program. The second offense carries with it a jail term or house arrest of at least ten days and possibly up to six months and the driver will find themselves facing a fine of at least seven hundred and fifty dollars.

The third offense in a seven year period will result in a license revocation of at least three years, although at this point the driver may be able to apply for a restricted license; this is, however, at the discretion of a judge. The driver will be required to complete a prison term of at least one year (possibly up to six) and to pay a fine of no less than two thousand dollars. The consequences for a DUI that results in death or injury are very similar to those of multiple offenders (this applies even to those that are facing their first DUI charge), with the driver receiving a jail sentence of two to twenty years, a fine of no less than two thousand dollars and a three year license suspension.

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