Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a mistake that many Oregonians make each year. This mistake can have long lasting consequences if the legal case is not handled correctly. People may only think about the criminal side of the case in this situation. They may be worried about fines, jail time and the possibility of an ignition interlock device in these situations.
Alcohol education classes and DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense. However, it is one that can easily happen to people that would otherwise never break the law. When people recreationally drink, they may not realize when they have had too much. In some cases, a person can reach the legal limit after only a small or moderate amount of alcohol. This mistake, however, can affect their lives for years to come.
Are there defenses to drunk driving in Oregon?
Many Oregon residents understand the seriousness of drunk driving charges. When people are accused of drunk driving, they can face large fines, the loss of a drivers' license, jail time, employment issues and more. Avoiding these penalties is often crucial for people who have been accused of driving under the influence.
When can an officer stop a driver for suspected DUI in Oregon?
In a recent blog post, this blog explained that police cannot use sobriety checkpoints in Oregon. Under the current state constitution such measures are illegal. This is the result of a 1987 constitutional amendment that outlawed the practice. However, as many Portland, Oregon residents know, you can still be stopped by police for suspicion of drunk driving. Unsuspecting motorists may wonder -- when can police officers stop drivers in Oregon for driving under the influence?
DUII charges for driver in Portland crash
Drunk driving charges are not black-and-white. Instead, there are a variety of factors that can influence the specific charges that a person faces when arrested for driving under the influence. These factors can include the person's blood alcohol content level, the person's criminal history, if property was damaged prior to the person's arrest and if someone else was injured by the suspected drunk driver. The facts surrounding a person's arrest can, therefore, become important in a drunk driving case.
Certain factors affect blood alcohol content level
If an Oregon resident is convicted of driving under the influence, that person can face serious consequences. The penalties can include jail or prison time, large fines, alcohol education classes, ignition interlock devices, loss of drivers' licenses and more. To avoid these penalties, people need to avoid conviction. While there may be some ways to fight charges once they have been brought, the best way to avoid these penalties is avoid driving with an elevated blood alcohol content level.
Man doesn't remember drunken police chase -- faces DUII charges
A Portland man claims that he does not remember getting behind the wheel of a car after partying at his sister's house recently. According to reports, the man has told police that it was the first time in a long time that he had drank alcohol before getting into his mom's car and driving away.
Don't let a DUI ruin your future
While people may think that it could never happen to them, it is easy to be caught driving drunk. People may not even realize that they are over the legal limit until they are stopped by police. In some cases, it doesn't take that much alcohol to reach a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent. In some cases, people may not realize that they have had too much to drunk until it is too late. In a recent case highlighted in this blog post, a man was arrested for DUI only after apparently causing a serious car accident.
What is the fine for DUI in Oregon?
With a recovering economy, money is tight for many people. People often don't have extra money to pay for unnecessary expenses. People may turn to cheaper forms of entertainment -- like drinking with friends -- to fill their time instead of more expensive options. However, Oregon residents should be aware that being convicted of drunk driving can lead to financial consequences.
Rollover accident leads to DUI charges for Portland man
A car accident in Oregon will often lead to an investigation by police. They police will try to determine why the accident occurred. If they believe that alcohol was a factor in the incident, the driver or drivers could face criminal charges for driving under the influence.
