Drunk driving is a crime punishable by
law throughout the country. However, there are several drunk driving related
charges and accordingly various penalties or punishments for offenders. Fort
Dodge, IA DUI lawyers such as Johnson & Bonzer know that it is vital for
anyone who drives to know exactly what drunk driving is.
The fact is that DUI laws may vary from
state to state. However, for the most part, majority of the states define driving
under the influence as operating a motor vehicle with a blood
alcohol content of over 0.08% BAC.
This limit is only for non-commercial
adult drivers while the limits for underage drivers and commercial drivers are
much lower, which is .02% and .04% respectively. States like Iowa have zero
tolerance laws where drivers under 21 are liable to be charged with a DUI even
if they have a small amount of alcohol in their system. It could depend on the situation, the amount, and how you act.
Different
Types of Drunk Driving Charges
As mentioned before there are many
several types of DUI charges. According to Fort Dodge, Iowa DUI attorneys and perhaps
the best in the area are Johnson & Bonzer, the charges levied depend on the
specifics of the case, the way in which the arrest occurred, and the suspect’s BAC
level. Other factors include whether someone was injured, if there was a child
in the vehicle and whether the arrest was followed by an accident or if the
person was simply pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.
Another major factor in determining the
severity of the charge is the person’s history of DUI charges. If they were
convicted of DUI in the past then they are considered a repeat offender and
face harsher penalties.
Punishments for DUI include hefty fines,
prison terms, community service, probation, alcohol counselling, ignition
interlock devices, ankle bracelets, and suspension of the driver’s license, to
name a few. The length of the prison term and the fine levied would also depend
on the severity of the case.
What
if you injure or kill someone in a drunk driving accident?
A serious injury or death resulting from a drunk driving
accident can lead to a felony charge. If convicted, the legal
repercussions could be life altering. If the prosecution is able to prove that
the drunkenness of the driver was the cause of the death then the driver can
face a second degree murder charge. Needless to say, the consequences for a
murder conviction are grave and you do not need a Fort Dodge, IA DUI lawyer to
inform you about that.
If you or someone you know has been
wrongfully accused of a DUI, then we strongly urge you to consult a fantastic
Iowa DUI lawyer as soon as possible. A legal professional can help build a
solid case for you which could enable you beat your charges. This is because
fabulous lawyers such as Johnson & Bonzer know how to attack the prosecution’s
case on many levels. Even if you are found guilty on some of the charges, the
law firm of Johnson & Bonzer will do their best to have some of the
penalties deflected.
A
Law Firm with Tenacity
It is not an easy thing to achieve, but
working with a fantastic legal professional and building a fool proof defense
is the best chance you have. Even if the evidence against you is too concrete, Johnson
& Bonzer may be able to strike a plea bargain with the prosecution and have
your penalties reduced for many reasons. Perhaps they believe you are a good
person overall, this is your first crime committed, they have bigger fish to
fry, and so on.
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