Part III Reading & Translation

Alcohol Penalties

Every day drivers are arrestedfor drunk driving and under the influence, or driving while intoxicated, as lawenforcement agencies continue to crack down on these dangerous offenders. Formany of these drivers it will not be their first DUI (driving under theinfluence) offense. So, what fate awaits these drunk drivers? They may besurprised to find that penalties for DUI are so high

In the United States, two-thirdsof the states have now passed Administrative License Revocation (ALR) laws,which allow the arresting officer to take the license of drivers who fail orrefuse to take a breath test. Many states have now lowered the legal bloodalcohol concentration (BAC) limit from 0.10 to 0.08 percent for adults, andmore than a dozen states have passed Zero Tolerance laws which prohibit driversunder 21 from having any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood system

In New Jersey, for instance, afirst time offender with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% can expect afine of $250 to $400, a jail term not exceeding 30 days, and suspension of hislicense for three months. For a first offense. If the alcohol count is 0. 1% ormore the fine would be between $300 and $500. There is no change in the othercharges or jail term, but the license revocation would be for seven months toone year. The court may also direct the offender to fix an Ignition InterlockDevice in his vehicle

Moreover, the penalties haveincreased for drinking and driving, especially for repeat offenders. Many statelegislatures have passed laws requiring mandatory jail time for repeat DUIconvictions. The fines have got larger, the length of license suspension hasgot longer and getting a "hardship" license just to go back and forthto work is getting more difficult.

Although laws differ from stateto state, here's a typical routine facing repeat offenders. Getting an attorneyin hopes of getting a reduced sentence or pleading to a reduced charge is awaste of time and money in many states. The penalties that the judge mustimpose are mandated by state law. In some states even first offenders may befacing lengthy license suspensions and a weekend in jail.

Many states have passed HabitualViolator laws, which provide felony penalties for three DUI convictions. Theseoffenders lose many of their civil rights--like being able to vote or ownweapon- as well as their driver's license permanently or for many, many years

In order to get that licenseback, most states now require that offenders complete some form of DUI school,but it has become a lot more involved than just sitting in class several hoursand passing a written test.

Now the offender must first gothrough an assessment interview with a professional counselor before it isdetermined what steps must be completed before the driver's license isreinstated. Typically, the offender is given a set of questions that aredesigned to determine the extent of his drinking problem.

All totaled, a DUI conviction canbe a very expensive deal indeed, especially a second or third offense. Thecosts can be even greater, for those who receive a DUI as the result of atraffic “accident". Drivers who were drinking at the time are finding thatthe courts are placing more of the liability for damages on them, regardless ofthe circumstances of the traffic incident.

The justice system is holdingdrunk drivers accountable for the damage they do to innocent victims--familiesout for a final weekend of summer fun--who are killed or injured on thehighways because the other driver was drinking. The monetary liabilities forsuch incidents can run into the millions, not to mention the criminalpenalties.

In some areas part of the DUIschool curriculum puts offenders face to face with victims, who tell theirpainful stories of how a drunk driver changed their lives forever. Perhapspersonalizing the pain that drinking and driving can cause will make theoffender stop and think before getting behind the wheel.

Simply stated, society is tryingto get the point across that drinking and driving is no longer acceptable andwill not be tolerated.

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