DWI/DUI - Laws And Attorneys In District Of Columbia
| A comprehensive guide to drunk driving laws, penalties, fines and attorneys. |
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Drunk Driving Laws In The District Of Columbia - DUI
The legal drinking age in the District of Columbia is 21 years of age, and
there are three very distinct drinking and driving laws that are enforced:
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
DWI applies to a person having a statutorily prohibited blood alcohol
concentration of .08 or higher. The suspect can be convicted in court
solely on the breath, blood, or urine results without any structured field
sobriety test.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
DUI applies to a person having a blood alcohol concentration of .05
percent - .07 percent. The suspect can be convicted in court of this
charge if the officer has other clues of impairment from a structured field
sobriety test.
Under Age Drinking
Persons under the age of 21 years of age cannot purchase, consume,
or possess any alcoholic beverages of any kind. If they are found to be
operating a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol, they
will be placed under arrest and charged with DWI—Driving While
Intoxicated.
Technically, according to DC Code, the District of Columbia has a zero
tolerance for driving under the influence. If a person 21 years of age or
older has a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent - .04 percent and
extremely bad driving, this person can be placed under arrest for Driving
Under the Influence of an alcoholic beverage.
The District of Columbia recently amended the DWI law, lowering the
acceptable blood alcohol content (BAC) level from .10 percent to .08
percent. This new amendment became law on April 13, 1999.
Penalties For DUI Offenses
First DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $300 - $1,000
Jail Sentence: Up to 90 days
License Suspension: 6 months revocation
Second DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $1,000 - $5,000
Jail Sentence :Up to 1 year
License Suspension: 1 year revocation
Third DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $2,000 - $10,000
Jail Sentence: Up to 1 year
License Suspension: 2 year revocation
Underage Laws and Consequences
The use-lose statutes make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to
purchase, possess, transport, or consume alcohol. A youth with a
detectable amount of alcohol in his or her body is in violation of the law
and loses his or her driver's license, usually for six months to one year.
For youths not yet licensed to drive, the law typically delays issuance of a
driver's license for a specific period (usually six months to a year).
A drinking and driving offense for the underage comes with a $300 fine
and a 6 month license suspension.
The legal drinking age in the District of Columbia is 21 years of age, and
there are three very distinct drinking and driving laws that are enforced:
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
DWI applies to a person having a statutorily prohibited blood alcohol
concentration of .08 or higher. The suspect can be convicted in court
solely on the breath, blood, or urine results without any structured field
sobriety test.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
DUI applies to a person having a blood alcohol concentration of .05
percent - .07 percent. The suspect can be convicted in court of this
charge if the officer has other clues of impairment from a structured field
sobriety test.
Under Age Drinking
Persons under the age of 21 years of age cannot purchase, consume,
or possess any alcoholic beverages of any kind. If they are found to be
operating a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol, they
will be placed under arrest and charged with DWI—Driving While
Intoxicated.
Technically, according to DC Code, the District of Columbia has a zero
tolerance for driving under the influence. If a person 21 years of age or
older has a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent - .04 percent and
extremely bad driving, this person can be placed under arrest for Driving
Under the Influence of an alcoholic beverage.
The District of Columbia recently amended the DWI law, lowering the
acceptable blood alcohol content (BAC) level from .10 percent to .08
percent. This new amendment became law on April 13, 1999.
Penalties For DUI Offenses
First DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $300 - $1,000
Jail Sentence: Up to 90 days
License Suspension: 6 months revocation
Second DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $1,000 - $5,000
Jail Sentence :Up to 1 year
License Suspension: 1 year revocation
Third DUI/DWI Offense
Fine: $2,000 - $10,000
Jail Sentence: Up to 1 year
License Suspension: 2 year revocation
Underage Laws and Consequences
The use-lose statutes make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to
purchase, possess, transport, or consume alcohol. A youth with a
detectable amount of alcohol in his or her body is in violation of the law
and loses his or her driver's license, usually for six months to one year.
For youths not yet licensed to drive, the law typically delays issuance of a
driver's license for a specific period (usually six months to a year).
A drinking and driving offense for the underage comes with a $300 fine
and a 6 month license suspension.
| Learn on what will happen to your license if you get a DUI/DWI out of state or outside of the country. |
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