The state of Illinois is notoriously tough on DUI offenders with mandatory jail time and ignition interlock device requirements for even first-time offenders. This state doesn’t give light penalties for crimes that endanger people’s lives and there are no exceptions. Underage, of age, CDL drivers, all will be punished accordingly under the law.

An Illinois DUI charge can occur in many ways besides the standard BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08% or higher that is the federal law. If you’re driving erratically and have a BAC that even registers at all you can be charged with a BAC, regardless of the fact that you are not over the legal limit. This is because you are exhibiting signs of impaired driving, therefore you are driving under the influence and can be charged with an Illinois DUI.

At .16%, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is considered an aggravating circumstance and will increase your penalties exponentially. A BAC of double the legal limit is severely impaired driving and deserves more than a slap on the wrist. If you are a CDL driver your best bet is to not drink at all while driving. Your legal limit is federally mandated as .04%, and if you are caught drinking and driving you might not only receive the Illinois DUI charge but lose your license and employment too.

There is a zero-tolerance rule in Illinois for underage drivers, and when they say zero, they mean it. If your’re under 21 and your BAC registers above zero, you will be charged with an Illinois DUI. If convicted, you could face lifelong consequences or the short-term consequence of an ignition interlock on your parents’ vehicle.

Okay, so it’s too late for prevention – you’ve already been charged with an Illinois DUI. What should you do next? You need to look for a reputable attorney that you trust to represent you aggressively and fight for reduced sentencing. But if it hasn’t come to that, now is the time to resolve never to drink and drive. That way you won’t have to worry about the consequences.

Some of country’s most beautiful sights are in Colorado. With activities such as hiking and skiing available all year, Colorado is a huge draw for tourists. The state also has many breweries and vineyards to tour and explore. To be safe, regardless of whether you call Colorado home or you’re just visiting, you should be aware of the various ways you can be charged with a Colorado DUI.

Colorado has two different charges that can be levied against you: a DUI or a DWAI. A DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) occurs when your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is .05% or higher but under .08% and you are obviously driving impaired. Like all states, a Colorado DUI charge occurs when your BAC is .08% or above. However, if your BAC is .17% or higher, it will be considered an aggravating circumstance and will result in enhanced penalties.

You can also receive a Colorado DUI if you’re underage. The state enforces the zero-tolerance rule, which means that any driver under 21 with a BAC of .02% – .05% can be charged with an Underage Drinking and Driving infraction. If your BAC is above .05, underage or not you’ll be charged to the full letter of the law under the traditional Colorado DUI or DWAI laws for offenders that are of age. Also, CDL drivers if caught driving under the influence will be charged with a Colorado DUI if their BAC is .04% as mandated by federal law.

If you are charged with a Colorado DUI, the next steps you take are crucial. Colorado DUI and DWAI penalties are harsh, and they will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Having a professional on your side to help get the job done and avoid things like jail time or excessive time using an ignition interlock device is the best plan for mitigating the effects that a Colorado DUI will have on your life.

When we have plans to drink with our friends, we try our best to have a safe plan to get home. Generally speaking, that means we are not going to drive our own vehicle, but rely on friends, Uber, or some other person to get us safely back in bed. For some, that commitment to safe driving does not always apply to other types of vehicles. In some states, you could face a DUI on a snowmobile just for enjoying the wintry fun of the season.

Not all states have specific DUI on a snowmobile laws. That does not mean you cannot still be charged with a DUI.

In states like Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, there is legal code that defines a DUI on a snowmobile (usually at a lower BAC than a DUI on a regular vehicle, by the way). Those states and others are renowned for their winter sports activities and have had to face the destruction of an intoxicated driver who is not driving a car but speeding across large expanses of land, endangering others.

Other states may not have the same concerns in terms of the number of DUI on a snowmobile problems. Florida obviously has little need for a law that specifically addresses the danger. But, like California, there are provisions in the definition of a “vehicle” that can apply to a snowmobile… just in case that ever happens.

Essentially, if you are drinking alcohol and think you are okay to operate or drive any type of vehicle, perhaps you should think twice before you actually do so. Not only are you endangering others, but you could face the same penalties (like an ignition interlock requirement on your car, truck, or SUV) if you are convicted of driving any type of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

You’re out with your friends, having a good time, and you lose track of how many drinks you’ve had. What do you do? Based on the way you feel, you think you’re just fine to drive, so you get in the car to go home. But, it turns out that you’re not. The next thing you know, you’re being arrested for a DWI and you might have just changed your life forever.

However, there are many programs available for those first-time offenders who may have just made a mistake that will never be repeated. Missouri first time DWI offenders have the option of SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence) probation offered to them if they meet certain conditions. SIS probation occurs when a defendant either pleads guilty or is found guilty of a criminal offense then is placed on SIS probation for a fixed period of time. If the offender successfully completes the probation requirements and time period with no new criminal charges, an SIS will not result in a conviction that shows on a criminal record.

Once a Missouri DWI offender pleads guilty to the misdemeanor charge, they may be placed on two years of SIS probation. This probation may be a bench probation which is supervised by the state or supervised by a private probation agency. In most cases, the court will also require that the offender completes certain programs and requirements by specified dates. In the case of a Missouri DWI, the requirements can include things such as SATOP (Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program), VIP (Victim Impact Panel), ADEP (Adolescent Dependency Education Program) for those that are underage, installation of an ignition interlock device, driving school, or many other options that are available to the court.

If you are a first time Missouri DWI offender, checking out your options for SIS probation is essential. This type of probation allows you to move forward with your life with a clean record and to remain a law-abiding citizen. The best scenario is to avoid needing such assistance by calling for a cab, but if the worst occurs, be sure you are aware of all of your options when convicted of Missouri DWI.

In these modern times of convenient mass transport of quick apps that will send a taxi to your location, it seems almost unforgivable to be arrested for a DUI. However, sometimes we all make mistakes and that is what diversion programs are here for. Mississippi’s DUI Pretrial Diversion Program, also known as non-adjudication, is just such a program that offers a second chance to first-time offenders.

To qualify for this program you have to be a nonviolent offender and cannot be in possession of a controlled substance upon arrest, nor can you have participated in a diversion program of any kind before. The District Attorney will ultimately decide if you’re eligible for Mississippi’s DUI Pretrial Diversion Program. They will consider the following factors:

• Whether justice will be served
• Whether the needs of both you and the State will be better served
• Whether you pose a risk to the community
• Whether you’re likely to commit future crimes
• Whether you will respond quickly to rehabilitative efforts
• Whether you have any significant criminal history
• Whether the program has the resources available that you need

If you meet all the Mississippi DUI Pretrial Diversion Program eligibility requirements, you will then be required to meet the program’s conditions within a specified time period. The time period will most likely be around two years. These conditions include:

• Paying the non-adjudication fee, along with all fines, penalties, and assessments that you would have had to pay if convicted.
• Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program.
• Install an ignition interlock device on each vehicle you operate and maintain an ignition interlock restricted driver’s license for 120 days
• Have no violations of the device
• Periodic meetings with a probation officer

Once you successfully complete this program, the Court will enter an Order dismissing the criminal case with prejudice, this means that the charges can never be brought up again. You will also qualify for expungement of any record of the charge, meaning that it will look like the arrest and charges never occurred.

Diversion programs are gaining popularity in the United States as a way to deal with first-time, non-violent offenders. They are proven to be very effective at reducing recidivism or repeat offenses. These programs also spare counties the expense of a trial and/or the time the offender would serve in jail. All of these things make diversion an attractive prospect across the nation.

The Texas DWI diversion program is considered a pretrial diversion program. To qualify for the program you have to meet the following requirements:

• No prior DWI or alcohol-related arrests.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Attend school full time or have a full-time job.
• Submit to a urinalysis that shows you are not consuming non-prescribed drugs or alcohol.
• Compose a letter of remorse and admit a guilty plea.
• Provide three recommendation letters.
• No open containers in the car at the time of arrest.
• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level under.1 percent.

If you meet these requirements you will then need to pay a fee, participate in an alcohol education program, and use an ignition interlock device for at least half of your one-year driver’s license suspension. If you complete your pretrial diversion requirements, your DWI will be dismissed after one year and you can then request for it to be expunged from your record after two years.

The Texas DWI diversion program has undergone many changes in recent years and getting current and accurate information can be difficult. Your best plan is to contact a qualified attorney in the county that you received your DWI in so that you are certain to have the most up-to-date information and take all the correct steps to mitigate the impact of your DWI.

If you make the mistake of driving under the influence in Texas, don’t think it’s hopeless. You may qualify for the Texas DWI diversion program and you can make restitution and then move forward with a second chance at a law-abiding life.