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.
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.
State senator proposes sobriety checkpoints for Oregon
Oregon police have a variety of weapons in their arsenal when it comes to stopping drunk driving. They have patrols, breath tests, blood tests, field sobriety tests and more. However, in Oregon it has been illegal to use sobriety check points to identify drunk drivers. In 1987, a constitutional amendment was passed that outlawed the process. However, more than 30 other states use checkpoints as a way to search for and stop drunk drivers.
What is Oregon's zero tolerance policy?
It is widely known that in Oregon, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to purchase or use alcohol. This drinking limit is in place across the United States to help keep young adults and teenagers safe. However, it is also widely understood that many young people recreationally drink alcohol. In response to this, Oregon has created a zero tolerance policy. Many may question what exactly this policy entails.
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.
Protect your freedom to drive after DUI allegations
The ability to drive is a right that many people look forward to in their teen years and come to depend on as adults. Without the ability to drive a car, people may not have a way to get to work, to school or to other important activities. They might not be able to transport their children where they need to go. Or, undertake important business. When a drunk driving related arrest threatens a person's ability to drive, that person needs to act fast to protect this right. In Oregon, people only have 10 days to contest a drivers' license suspension.
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.
Implied consent and field sobriety tests in Oregon
In order to make an arrest for driving under the influence, Portland police must have evidence that the person is intoxicated. To gather this evidence, police will often perform one or more blood alcohol content level tests. These tests can include breath tests, blood tests or field sobriety tests. Unlike breath tests or blood tests, a field sobriety test cannot read the exact amount of alcohol in a person's blood. Instead, the test measures certain behaviors and reactions that can suggest that a person has been drinking.
Portland police officer arrested on suspicion of drunk driving
Police in Portland, Oregon, will arrest anyone they believe is driving under the influence. As a recent case shows, this also includes members of their own force. According to police, a 43-year-old sergeant with the Portland Police Department was recently arrested for DUI. Police claim that the arrest took place after the man supposedly crashed his 2014 Jetta into a yard, fence and fire hydrant, causing $5,000 worth of damage on 190th Drive at around 10:00 a.m.
Two same day car crashes result in DUII charges
Washington County, Oregon recently saw two separate car accidents that led to DUII charges for the drivers. According to police, the first accident occurred when a 26-year-old man lost control over his pickup truck. The accident allegedly took place around 4:05 p.m. on Hornecker Road near Cornelius. In the accident, police say, the truck left the roadway and flipped at least once, injuring a passenger. In this case, the driver was charged with fourth-degree assault and DUII. In the second accident, the 25-year-old driver was charged with DUII after he also lost control over a pickup truck. This accident happened around two hours after the first crash, near Gaston. Police say the truck rolled over after the driver lost control. Nobody was injured in that accident. It is unclear why police believe that either driver was drunk at the time of the accidents. To make claims, like these, police must have hard evidence of intoxication. This can include a failed field sobriety test or a blood alcohol test -- including a breath test or blood test -- with a reading over .08 percent.
