Oklahoma Dui Law Is So Complete, Drunk Drivers Can Be Caught â??Soonerâ? Or Later
Oklahoma has some unusual and all-encompassing dui laws. For example, a particular dui penalty depends not only upon the evidence of the case, but also upon the jurisdiction where you were arrested. Whereas a DUI in a small town may bring a small fine, the same infringement in a large city could bring a significant fine and time in jail. And, as we will see below, the penalties for an Oklahoma DUI depend on more factors than just your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or how safely you drive.
There are three different categories of drunk driving in Oklahoma: Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI), Driving While Impaired (DWI), and/or Actual Physical Control (APC). What’s the difference between dui and dwi and apc? If your BAC is greater than .05 but lower than .08, you will likely be charged with DWI. An Oklahoma DWI usually garners a lesser punishment than does a DUI or APC. If your BAC is .08 or more, and/or your driving ability has been legally impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs, you will likely be charged with an Oklahoma DUI. The main difference between APC and DUI is that a DUI requires operation of the vehicle, whereas APC only requires that the vehicle could be driven. Have you heard dui stories of people arrested for drunk driving even when they’ve been sleeping it off in their cars? In Oklahoma, this is called an APC. If you are in a vehicle, and have the ability and potential to drive, you can be arrested if you are found to be impaired.
What’s the difference between dui and dwi criminal penalties for a first offense? An Oklahoma DWI will bring a loss of your driver’s license for 30 days, a fine of from $100 to $500, and up to six months in jail. An Oklahoma DUI brings a loss of license from 30 up to 180 days, fines from $500 to $1,250, 10 days to one year in jail, attendance at a victim’s impact panel, and possible alcohol and/or drug assessment, which could lead to enrollment in a substance abuse program. If you’ve been charged with an APC, the consequences to your driver’s license and the dui penalties are basically the same as they are for a DUI.
Oklahoma has zero tolerance for underage drinking. You will be charged with DUI if you have a BAC of .02 and are under the age of 21. Underage drinking penalties include a loss of license for 6 months, a fine from $100 to $500, community service, possible enrollment in a substance abuse program, or any combination of these.
Drivers who have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must be very careful, because they can be convicted of an Oklahoma DUI with a BAC of .04 while operating any vehicle. That’s right – even if you’re off duty and driving your own person car, if you have a CDL and a BAC of .04, you can be convicted of DUI. Since this situation can adversely affect your future livelihood, you may want to enlist the help of the best drunk driving lawyer you can find.
About the Author
MyDUIAttorney.org is a directory of qualified attorneys, lawyers and firms who deal with drunk driving cases and help defend those charged with a DUI offense. The directory provides a source of marketing and lead generation for these attorneys, lawyers and law firms, making it easy for DUI offenders to search and contact qualified professionals who can help them.
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