What happens when you get arrested for drunk driving? Well, that depends on a number of factors, but the consequences of drunk driving will most likely be severe. For this reason, it is imperative that a person accused of drunken driving enlist the counsel of a leading drunk driving lawyer.

Since the laws governing traffic safety vary from state to state, DUI laws are no different. But regardless of the state in which an individual is charged with DWI or DUI, the drunk driving laws and the penalties for drunk driving are almost always stiff. The reason that driving under the influence of alcohol is treated with such severity can be attributed to the many lives that have been taken by drunk drivers over the decades.

Prior to the 1980s, many states treated drunk driving as if it were a minor infraction, and many individuals who were caught driving drunk received little more than slaps on the wrist. Given the fact that a large portion of people who get caught drunk tend to be repeat offenders, state and federal legislators realized that letting them off so lightly was a mistake. Additionally, anti-drunk driving advocates and families of individuals who were killed or injured by drunk drivers called for stricter legal mandates.

Although every drunk driving case is handled as a serious offense, there are several factors that help the courts to determine the severity of the consequences. Among these are percentage of blood alcohol content, history of previous offenses, driving record, number and type of traffic infractions committed, and injuries or deaths allegedly caused by the accused.

While each of the above determinants is out of the defendants’ hands, drivers who are accused of drunken driven do have the power to choose among the top DUI defense lawyers. No matter the surrounding circumstances, an experienced DWI defense attorney will be well-versed in the most effective DUI defense strategies. The bottom line is an effective attorney can heavily influence what happens when you get arrested for drunk driving.
No person who makes the choice to get behind the wheel of an automobile after consuming alcohol deserves anything less than an appropriately harsh penalty. However, as citizens of the United States, every driver is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and has the right to an attorney and a fair and impartial trial. By hiring top DWI defense lawyers, those people who are accused of drunk driving will have the best chance to take advantage of their rights. That being said, what happens when you get arrested for drunk driving ultimately comes down to the skill and experience of your legal representation.