DUI Law Changes Create Risks for Uninformed Defendants

DUI law is constantly evolving and changing, and for those who have been charged with drunk driving, up to date information is critical. Already in 2006, several states have significantly altered their DUI statutes or processes, and DUI defendants need to know the risks associated with their charges. That’s why Total DUI at www.TotalDUI.com works to add updated information, articles, blog postings, and more to the website on a regular basis. Even so, there’s no substitute for the direct advice of an experienced local DUI lawyer, so Total DUI also helps arrange free consultations with DUI attorneys across the country.

(PRWEB) May 14, 2006 -- Changes in DUI law are continually in the works, and most of those developments are geared toward toughening up DUI laws and imposing harsher sanctions. That’s not surprising, since in 2004 39% of all traffic fatalities in the United States were alcohol related. DUI defendants need current information so that they understand the processes, costs, and possible penalties involved in facing a drunk driving charge, but it’s important that everyone is up to date on DUI issues. The Total DUI website at www.TotalDUI.com regularly provides fresh information about developments in drunk driving law and DUI enforcement.

When measures have already been enacted, like the 2006 Arizona statute that allows impoundment of a vehicle after breath test failure, it’s important that drivers are aware of those developments and how that knowledge should impact their actions and decisions.

Sometimes the developments that have the most impact aren’t even statutory. Recent challenges to the use of Intoxilyzer 5000 results in Florida courtrooms weakened or triggered the dismissal of hundreds of DUI cases in that state. Prosecutors across the state, even in the areas where the challenges weren’t pending, were well aware of those issues, but the only defendants who benefited were those who knew and understood the issues under consideration—or hired DUI lawyers who did.

It’s equally important, though, that all citizens are aware of proposed DUI legislation while it’s under consideration, so that they can weigh in on those issues before decisions are made “on their behalf” that may not reflect their wishes at all. Legislation triggered by the Intoxilyzer source code issue swept through the Florida legislature, and an additional provision that would have introduced a mandatory two-year jail term for some repeat offenders died in this legislative session, but promises to return when the legislature reconvenes.

Other states have enacted, or are considering, provisions to require special license plates for some drivers convicted of DUI, requiring road-side clean-up duty for orange-vested offenders, increasing required jail time for even first offenses, criminalizing breathalyzer refusal, and more.

In addition to core resources explaining the basics of DUI law, statutes for each of the 50 states, information about breathalyzer and blood alcohol testing and other such fundamentals, Total DUI also frequently posts articles about pending issues and recent developments in DUI law at www.TotalDUI.com/dui_articles.htm.

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