DUI Laws and Penalties - All 50 States

All U.S. states (minus Massachusetts) and the District of Columbia have per se laws defining it as a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a prohibited level, usually 0.08 percent. In the event of a conviction of DUI or DWI, the driver is subject to their license being revoked or suspended. In addition, some drivers may refuse to submit to a breathalyzer or other form of chemical test to ascertain their blood alcohol and drug levels, however, under administrative license suspension, these drivers have their licenses revoked even before a conviction for their lack of cooperation.

DUI / DWI Laws include:

• Illegal Per Se Laws
• Dram Shop Laws
• Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) Laws
• Zero Tolerance Laws
• Open Container Laws
• Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Laws
• Repeat Intoxicated Driver Laws
• Vehicle and License Plate Sanctions

Forty-three states permit some offenders to drive, but only if their vehicles have been equipped with ignition interlock. Ignition interlock devices will analyze a driver’s blood alcohol content and not allow ignition of the vehicle if the driver is found impaired. In 29 states, offenders may forfeit vehicles that are driven while impaired by alcohol.

Have you or someone you know been charged with a DUI? If so, contact one of our experienced DUI lawyers in your area today!