Posts Tagged ‘DWI Laws’

Drinking and driving is one of the world’s most dangerous combinations. Some commentators liken drunk driving unto a driving accident just looking for somewhere to occur. As results, administrations of various countries have adapted various measures and rules in an attempt to stem the scourge of drunk driving. Now, these laws are affected by various issues such as culture, religion and the level of drunk driving. As a result, some of the laws adapted will vary from country to another with some even being unbelievable.

United States: The United States have one of the highest rates of drunk driving related accidents and deaths in the world. Each state have their own law based in the severity of the drunk driving cases. However, as a rule, most states will charge a driver once their blood alcohol content exceeds 0.08. Where it becomes unbelievable is when some states reduce this level to 0.05 and even charge drivers for DWI if they are found with open containers in their vehicle. These offenses can lead to jail time, suspension or loss of their license.

Australia:

In Australia, the upper level for blood alcohol content is 0.05. This is reduced to 0.02 for new drivers and individuals who have only a learner’s permit. As usual, punishment for DWI in Australia comes in the form of fines, suspension of license or jail time. When it becomes strange is the law also imposes compulsory medical assessment of drivers before their driver’s license can be reinstated.

In most European countries, drunk driving is punishable by fines, suspension of license or jail time.

France:

In France, DWI offenders get a fine equivalent of $1000, loss or suspension of their license for three years of at least one-year imprisonment.

Norway:

Norway adopts a more stringent approach where drunk drivers are automatically jailed for three weeks at hard labor coupled with a license suspension for one year. If the repeat the offence they repeat the offence, then they lose their license forever.

Russia:

Now many may be surprised that they have laws for DWI in Russia based on Russians long love affair with alcohol. Russia has one of the highest consumption rates of whiskey and vodka worldwide. However, if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you simply lose your driving license for life. Even upon the first offence.

Saudi Arabia:

Other countries have even gone even further in their DWI laws. In Saudi Arabia, DWI offences are punishable by lashes in the public square.
South Africa imposes fine equivalent of $10,000, a ten-year prison sentence or both combined depending on the severity of the case.

Turkey:

In Turkey, DWI offenders are taken twenty miles from their town and then told to walk back while escorted by the police.

El Salvador and Bulgaria:

Countries such as El Salvador and Bulgaria have gone to the extreme in punishing drunk drivers. In El Salvador, first time DWI offenders are carted off and executed by a firing squad. In Bulgaria, at least they are a little more lenient, as DWI offenders are only executed after they have committed their second DWI offence.

Recently Pennsylvania has reworked their DWI laws. Due to this, it is important that you understand the new DWI laws and are aware of the repercussions of an arrest for DWI in Pennsylvania. You should submit to a blood or breath test whenever stopped for suspected DWI. As Pennsylvania is considered an Implied Consent state, you have consented for a DWI test when stopped by an officer when you apply for a Pennsylvania driver license. If you fail this test by having a BAC of 0.08% or more or refuse to take the DWI test, your license will be suspended immediately. It is considered a mandatory suspension of your Pennsylvania driver’s license for at least one year or a jail time for 3 days if you refuse the test. In this situation, you have only 30 days to appeal the license suspension in an administrative proceeding. This can be done effectively with the help of an experienced and qualified Pennsylvania DWI attorney.

Help offered by a Pennsylvania DWI Attorney

A Pennsylvania DWI arrest will have criminal proceedings and the DWI penalties are dependent on whether your BAC is over the legal limit of 0.08% as well as on how many times the crime of DWI has been committed. The penalties range from 6 months probation to 5 years in jail along with which you will have to bear the cost for court proceedings and fine. These fines range in amounts from $300 to $10,000. A Pennsylvania DWI can be very costly and requires the expertise of a skilled Pennsylvania DWI defense attorney.

Based on the DWI statute, if you have violated the Pennsylvania law, you will face serious penalties based on your BAC. The state follows a 3-tier system to impose DWI charges. If you have a BAC of 0.08 to 0.099%, it is considered as general impairment, if you have 0.10 to 0.159% BAC, you are considered as having high BAC whereas the highest BAC would be considered as 0.16% and higher. When you commit repeat offense, the penalties are increasingly more severe. As the DWI laws are quite complex, your DWI lawyer can help in understanding your rights and the potential defenses available to your case.

Reputable DWI Attorneys in Pennsylvania

Your DWI attorney in Pennsylvania will also offer free evaluation of your case if you fill the confidential online initial questionnaire. He will contact you within 24 hours of receiving the free evaluation questionnaire.

Pennsylvania DWI Defense attorney, David Manilla can help in investigating and challenging your DWI charges. He is also able to give his valuable inputs in the new Driving After Imbibing (DAI) laws of Pennsylvania and has been able successfully challenging these laws in a court of law. DAI was established in 2004 when the Pennsylvania drunk driving laws were changed when the legal limit of BAC was reduced to 0.08% and changed the name of the offense to driving after imbibing. However, to most of us it is still considered as driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Other reputable DWI attorneys, like Michael Worgul, focus on DWI defense and has been successfully handling various types of DWI cases. He understands the working of the DWI court system and Pennsylvania DWI laws and has been successfully using his courtroom skills to help his clients get out of their DWI cases or at least reduce the extent of their penalties.