Washington DC Drunk Driving Laws
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Contrary to popular opinion, a driver does not have to show signs of impairment to be arrested for DUI. Rather, a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is used to determine whether an arrest is warranted. Synonymous for “blood-to-alcohol” ratio, BAC indicates the amount of alcohol a person has in his or her bloodstream. In the Washington DC jurisdiction, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
Of course, because you must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol in the United States, underage drivers are shown less leniency when it comes to their BAC. Like most areas, Washington DC has a strict “Zero Tolerance Law” to prevent these individuals from driving with any amount of alcohol in their system. As a result, if you have not reached the legal drinking age, you can be charged with DUI for having a BAC of 0.01% or more—in other words, any detectable amount of alcohol in your system at all.
Like underage drivers, commercial vehicle operators must also abide by a lower BAC limit. Therefore, if you drive a vehicle such as a tow truck, bus, or tractor trailer, you can be arrested for DUI if your BAC is 0.04% or higher.
In the event that you are stopped by an officer who suspects you of driving under the influence, it is important to be aware of Washington DC’s “Implied Consent Law.” Under this statute, every driver in the area must submit to BAC testing if an officer feels a breathalyzer or other chemical test is warranted. Refusing to comply with the officer’s request not only justifies an arrest for DUI, but also carries the same penalties as any other drunk driving offense.
If you are convicted of DUI, the severity of your sentence will depend primarily upon your prior history of driving under the influence. For a first offense, a DUI conviction carries a maximum $1,000 fine, six-month license suspension, and 90-day jail sentence. However, if you have been convicted of the offense in the past, a second conviction can cost you up to $5,000 in fines, a one-year license suspension, and one year behind bars—and you can expect an even harsher sentence if you have two or more convictions on your record.
Although the penalties for driving under the influence are quite severe, many of the drivers who are arrested for DUI in Washington DC are able to challenge their arrest and avoid the damage that follows a drunk driving conviction. If you were recently arrested for the offense, submit your information online today to have an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area evaluate your case—there’s no charge or obligation required.
