Arkansas Drunk Driving Laws
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Arizona law defines drunk driving as operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of any substance that significantly impairs your ability to drive. More specifically, this law limits the amount of alcohol a driver can have in his or her bloodstream—a percentage known as blood alcohol content, or BAC.
Under this guideline, simply driving with an illegal amount of alcohol in your system is grounds for your arrest. Regardless of your ability to drive, this means you can be charged with DUI if you have a BAC of 0.08% or more. The 0.08% limit, however, applies only to drivers who are legally allowed to consume alcohol; drivers under 21 are permitted a BAC of just 0.02%.
It is also important to know that, due to the state’s Implied Consent Law, you are legally required to perform any type of chemical test if an officer suspects you are under the influence of alcohol. Designed to calculate BAC, chemical tests detect the amount of alcohol present in a driver’s breath, blood, or urine. As a licensed driver, you are expected to comply with any member of law enforcement who requests such tests—and you can expect to face severe criminal penalties if you refuse.
The type of punishment you will receive if you are convicted of DWI in Arkansas will depend primarily on your history of drunk driving. First-time offenders face a six-month license suspension, fine ranging from $150 to $1,000, and up to a one-year jail sentence. In some cases, drivers may also be required to complete an alcohol education program and/or have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle—a device that requires passing a breathalyzer before the individual’s vehicle will start.
As you may guess, the penalties for drunk driving increase with each subsequent conviction. A second DWI, for example, carries a 2-year license suspension, fine of up to $3,000 fine, minimum 30-day jail sentence, and completion of a court-approved alcohol treatment program. If you have been convicted of three or more DWIs within the past five years, you will face felony charges—which means you could permanently lose your right to vote, carry a passport, and purchase a firearm.
In light of the penalties of a DWI conviction, many drivers choose to obtain legal counsel to help them fight their arrest. If you were recently arrested for drunk driving in Arkansas, it is important to establish a strong argument that supports your defense in order to win your case.
To locate an experienced legal representative in your area, submit your information online today and a local DUI defense attorney will be in touch with you shortly to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
