DUI

The term ‘DUI’ is the initial for “Driving under the Influence”. It is one of the punishable misdemeanors in the US, Europe and other continents of the world. DUI is one of those offences that relates to reckless driving.

DUI refers to “Driving under the Influence” Someone may ask “under the influence of what? Indeed, the influence could be on alcohol or drugs or any other intoxicating substance. This act is almost a daily occurrence in many parts of the world. People get intoxicated often and on and still drive their cars even on the high ways.

DUI has also acquired other related terminologies all pointing at the same thing. These include: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Drunk Driving, Operating under the Influence, Drinking and driving, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Driving under Intense Influence (DUII) and other terms. All these point to this same issue.

DUI is not only related to vehicles, it also applies to driving any of the following means of transportation such as the airplane, motorcycle, bicycle, boat, tractor and even the wheel chair under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Such drugs involved in DUI include the usual narcotic and psychoactive hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and others. Other painkiller drugs are also involved. These include among others; OxyContin, Klonopin, Crystal Meth and many more.

The alcohol involved is the intoxicating element in fermented drinks. This is usually seen in various beers and wines. Many of them on sale have high concentration of the alcoholic element.

Hence, a person may be involved in Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol alone. The case is worse when the influence is on both drugs and alcohol.

Meanwhile DUI is a Class 1 Misdemeanor punishable under the various codes of conducts governing various States in America and elsewhere in the world. Basically, DUI is only a Misdemeanor when the level of damage is not much. A misdemeanor is a less serious case than felony. Such an act is punishable with a jail term not more than one year with a maximum fine of $2500. Although the fine varies according to the different states and is subject to change. DUI can also become a typical case of felony when the level of damage is much. Such a case is punishable with a jail term more than one year with higher fines involved.

In all, DUI is a criminal offence and it has led to so many cases of accidents in various countries of the world. The offence is usually charged to court. However, the offender is not condemned until he or she is proven guilty. There is also the opportunity of involving the help of a criminal defense attorney to help in the court proceedings. In any case, DUI is a grievous offense any sane person should desist from.