DUI Laws and Penalties - All 50 States

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ll 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.

State DUI Laws

Learn more about the Basics of DUI.

Get Informed - DUI/DWI Law Information

We've got a large library of DUI and DWI law articles, Q&A's and other resources. Start here to learn about DUI laws, arrests, defense, penalties and more.

DUI Basics
Get the low down on the law and what you can expect if you're arrested and charged with a DUI.

Your DUI and the DMV
Besides the court and criminal charge the Department of Motor Vehicles will also bring you grief.

DUI Arrests, Police Reports, Arraignments, and Fees
After you're arrested, booked and released, you'll need to get ready for your arraignment.

DUI/DWI Charges and Penalties
After a DUI conviction expect fines, license suspension, DUI school, and sometimes jail.

Fighting a DUI
You may have options to lessen the sentence, get a reduced charge or get the case dismissed.

Getting Help with a DUI/DWI Charge
There are some things you can do yourself and some which require the help of an attorney.

Living with a DUI
A DUI conviction can be devastating. Learn what issues may come up.