Defining

You have a few drinks with some friends, have a great time, and then hop into your car to drive home. You feel fine, right? But you don't realize that you're swerving around on the road until you see the flash of red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror. Uh-oh. If your Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is above 0.08%, chances are high that you're going to be facing some serious ramifications under the name of a DUI. Or is it a DWI? Here, we'll take a look at the differences between these two terms.

DUI vs. DWI

First off, it's important to understand that in the state of Arizona, the terms "DUI" and "DWI" can be used interchangeably. They stand for "Driving Under the Influence" and "Driving While Intoxicated", respectively, and both require the help of a DUI attorney in Arizona. Nationwide, different states regard these two terms with varying amounts of severity. For instance, in some states, DUI charges are considered a lesser offense.

For a DWI to be changed to a DUI, various factors must be considered. These include whether the incident is a first offense, the defendant's display of remorse for the action, and a BAC level that was not significantly over the legal limit. States like New York consider a BAC below 0.08% to be the defining criteria for charging an individual with a DUI, as opposed to a DWI. On the other hand, many states have a zero tolerance policy for individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol; every state has a minimum illegal blood alcohol level of 0.08, and an individual found to be driving over that specified limit is a crime.

Some states use the terms DWI and DUI to differentiate between what kind of influence the driver was operating under. In these areas, a DUI is reserved for illegal drugs, while DWI is used for alcoholic impairment.

What to Do

In any case, no matter what your situation is or where you are, it is imperative that you have the right resources at hand if you are charged with a DUI or DWI. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI/DWI, contact an experienced DUI attorney in Arizona to ensure that you receive the best chance possible of having your case reduced or even dismissed. However, finding someone with a plethora of experience isn't the only factor in determining which attorney is right for you - you also want to find someone you can trust. Choose an attorney who will not only defend you passionately, but who can and will turn your life around.

An Arizona criminal defense attorney with the experience of 20 years in law, Guy will provide you with an outstanding, passionate defense in the face of criminal law charges. For more information about Guy and his mission, contact him here or at 602.396.7114.