Getting your facts straight is crucial in any dealings with the police. One area where there is a lot of misinformation is DUI charges.
Here are some of the things people misunderstand about them.
1. They think it is all about 0.08
You might hear people talk about a 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) limit with drunk driving charges. You hear them at parties and in bars telling friends (or themselves) that it is OK to have another drink, as it still won’t put them over 0.08%. What they misunderstand is that you can still be charged with drunk driving below that limit if the police believe alcohol is clearly affecting your driving.
Some people are bound by a stricter limit than 0.08% anyway, such as commercial drivers and young drivers. All the legal limit means is that if you go above it on a police test, it gives them automatic grounds to arrest you for DUI.
2. They think it is not that big a deal
DUI charges are indeed common. It’s also true that the consequences of a conviction are going to be much less severe than for many crimes. However, a DUI conviction can really mess up your life in ways you might not have even realized.
3. They think prosecution is a foregone conclusion
A lot of people do not bother to challenge their DUI charges because they assume it will be pointless. There are many options to challenge DUI charges, and while it might be that there are none that would work in your case, you can’t know that in the immediate aftermath of a DUI arrest. Seeking legal guidance to explore all possible options and see if any defense options might work is always recommended.