Overall, the crime of drunken driving continues to be mainly victimless, mainly non-violent, and people convicted continue to have the lowest recidivism rates among all crime. Seeing through the statistical manipulation of the facts is necessary because the statistics included in an alcohol involved crash include more than just when the drinking driver causes the accident (see Traffic Safety Facts, 2001).

    MADD, one of the most profitable non-profit organizations in America, and others continue to push for less tolerance so that they can continue funding their cause. The President of the United States continues to back the move to .08% blood alcohol content as the limit, and the American Medical Association continues its push for .05% BAC.

    Early in our understanding of alcohol and driving, drunk meant too drunk to drive an automobile safely (.15% BAC limit was standard in the 1960's). Nowadays, drunk driving has become driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, driving while under the influence, operating while under the influence (impaired, intoxicated, or whatever), and in many states, one can be convicted of DUI even though the police didn't even see you drive. A warm hood and your failure to pass the "attitude" test is all it takes to be arrested sometimes.

    Everyone is beginning to question what all this means, especially when the DUI opinion about intoxication has more to do with what morals will be followed rather than basic science.

    What we do know is that all scientists agree that all humans are too impaired for the purposes of driving a car once they go beyond a .10% BAC. That's why the limit was reduced to .10% orginally. Then the '80's happened and MADD was born in response to a large number of DUI fatality accidents.

Most recent studies show us that other distractions are just as dangerous. Recent studies compare how distracted one is when driving under the influence of alcohol or driving while using a cell phone. And if you want to fly a plane, you must not be over a .04% BAC (alcohol is in everyone at some level even if you don't drink it - up to .05% BAC we hear - ie. endogenous alcohol - this is the biggest problem with "zero tolerance" and in police "preliminary" tests of youth who are supposed to not be drinking - you can still believe your kids, parents).

    It is still legal to drink and drive in all 50 United States if you are over 21 years. Just remember that there's a limit in all 50 states and you don't need to feel intoxicated to be over the limit, especially the limit of .08%.

   Only an educated (through testimony)  jury, or a judge who knows science, can fairly evaluate your case and dispense justice on you. If you jump on the assembly line that is set up in many, many, "anti-drinker" or religious communities, you'll be convicted real fast, your rights will be stripped for a period of years (you may be too if taken into custody), and you'll be marked for at least the next 10 years (costing you easily over $15,000).

    Be very careful, and ask lots of questions. Always remember that only your defense attorney has the privilege to know your story, yet do everything it takes to defend you against the prosecution freight train that began when the cop wrote you the ticket.  Good luck on your case, and don't forget your right to a hearing at your driver's license bureau too. If you do forget, you'll loose more rights and your driving privilege.

    Taking responsibility for your new criminal drunken driving case requires you to defend yourself so that YOU don't get convicted of something worse than the truth. Telling a judge that you're sorry, will do nothing for you except get you onto the punishment which can be prison, county jail, fines, loss of license and more.

    You should hire a private DUI defense attorney unless you are indigent. In some parts of the country, court appointed attorneys can assist you but they make little money per case. If you are indigent, you will rely on the government paid public defender (always underpaid for the amount of cases they handle). If you don't get a lawyer and represent yourself, you may have a fool for a client. As you will learn, prosecutors can take advantage of DUI arrestees since many newly arrested people think this is a simple traffic matter. It is not. It is a very serious offense nowadays, and it will go on your record in more places than you might think.

    Remember, you must say, "I would like to speak to an attorney, your honor", or you can quickly become convicted if the judge convinces you. The judge has a large calendar of new arrestees and he would like to leave work at a reasonable hour. Don't give up your rights until you know them. Read on and learn about every accused's rights. Ask questions of the sponsoring attorneys if you still have questions, they want to help you.

    Even if you think you're guilty, go talk to an attorney or two about your case. You may not know everything the DUI / DWI attorney or lawyer knows, especially if they've attended the below college. Good luck on your case!

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This site supports the responsible use of alcoholic beverages only. All United States' laws allow drinking and then driving of vehicles provided that the driver is over 21, and is being responsible while operating because s/he is not impaired by the drink, or drug. To keep your rights, use them responsibly. If you drink, and/or do drugs, & drive, make sure you get yourACLU police bust card  and learn about your rights on that card.