Though having a few cocktails may seem harmless, the effects can be devastating if followed by an attempt to drive afterwards. At the very least, engaging in such risky behavior could result in a costly traffic ticket coupled with jail time and the loss of your driver's license, but far worse is the possibility of injuring - and possibly killing - an innocent person. This is the point where a drunk driving lawyer can help you.

Whether you've been ticketed for a DUI / DWI, or your situation is much more severe, contacting a drunk driving lawyer immediately can be very beneficial.

Methods to Determine Intoxication

Law enforcement officers use three different methods to determine whether a driver has had too much to drink, or is too intoxicated by some other means, to be driving. These methods include:

1. Simple Observation
2. Sobriety Test
3. Blood Alcohol Test

A simple observation test consists of studying the demeanor of the operator of a vehicle and determining whether the operator is intoxicated based on his general behavior. A sobriety test includes what is referred to as a field test. The officer will instruct the suspected intoxicated operator of a vehicle to do several exercises, such as walk a straight line or recite the alphabet, which helps in determining whether an individual is impaired or inebriated. A blood alcohol test usually requires a portable breathalyzer unit, which calculates the amount of alcohol in an individual's blood by measuring the percentage of alcohol in the driver's breath, blood, or urine and calculating it by using a mathematical formula.

It is important to know what your legal rights are concerning a DUI / DWI. A drunk driving attorney has expertise in this specific area of law and may be able to help you determine what your next step should be.

Penalties For Drunk Driving

The penalties in drunk driving cases are extremely complicated. There are a set of penalty guidelines for authority figures to follow; however, several factors could change the outcome of the penalty, including whether or not:

• You refused to take the Breathalyzer Test
• You've had a previous DUI / DWI within the past seven years
• Your BAC was greater than .20%
• You were speeding in excess of 20 mph
• There was a minor (under age 14) in the automobile

Additionally, sentencing in a drunk driving case is affected by the facts of the case, court policies, any weaknesses uncovered by the defense attorney and the reputation of that attorney.

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• The content of this site is provided for informational purposes only! If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, please consult with a DUI Lawyer in your area.