Throughout Los Angeles, many people ask Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys what the differences are between DUI charges and DWI charges. Usually, the terms are used differently depending upon the state you are in.
University of Michigan reserve running back Kevin Grady was sentenced to seven days in jail last week for probation violations stemming from a July, 2008 misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated conviction. Grady's blood alcohol concentration during his arrest last year was .24%, three times the .08% legal limit in Michigan. The star football player apparently had not complied with the terms of his probation, failing to complete the community service that was required of him and testing positive for opiates. Michigan football head coach Rich Rodriguez has not yet commented on whether or not Grady's latest legal trouble will affect his eligibility for the upcoming football season.
Many people have heard of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), but may not be clear as to the differences between the two terms. A Los Angeles DUI, most of the time, is a blanket term that covers most, if not all cases where a driver is operating a vehicle while drunk or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Cases where DWI is specified more often involve a driver being actually intoxicated by alcohol and usually well over the .08% blood alcohol concentration limit that is legal in Los Angeles, as was the case with Grady.
Both Los Angeles DUI and DWI charges can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony criminal offense depending on the particular details of each case. If another person was injured or dies as a result of DUI or DWI, the case will almost certainly become a felony, with much harsher penalties as a result. Prior convictions for either offense may also factor heavily into making a case a misdemeanor or a felony. A typical punishment for a misdemeanor DUI or DWI offense in Los Angeles, especially for a first time offense, might be probation, fines loss of driving privileges and potentially as much as six months in a county jail.
A felony DUI or DWI conviction might garner several years in a state prison if injury or death is caused to another person. The Los Angeles DUI and DWI legal process is made all the more complicated with the addition of a DMV hearing. Once you are arrested for a Los Angeles DUI or DWI, your driving privileges are automatically suspended. From that point you have just 10 days to contact a criminal defense attorney and schedule a DMV hearing to determine whether or not your driving privileges can be reinstated until your DWI or DUI hearing is completed.
If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, call the Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Their combined 50 years of courtroom experience in defending against DUI and DWI charges will skillfully and carefully guide you through the legal process and fight for you.
University of Michigan reserve running back Kevin Grady was sentenced to seven days in jail last week for probation violations stemming from a July, 2008 misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated conviction. Grady's blood alcohol concentration during his arrest last year was .24%, three times the .08% legal limit in Michigan. The star football player apparently had not complied with the terms of his probation, failing to complete the community service that was required of him and testing positive for opiates. Michigan football head coach Rich Rodriguez has not yet commented on whether or not Grady's latest legal trouble will affect his eligibility for the upcoming football season.
Many people have heard of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), but may not be clear as to the differences between the two terms. A Los Angeles DUI, most of the time, is a blanket term that covers most, if not all cases where a driver is operating a vehicle while drunk or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Cases where DWI is specified more often involve a driver being actually intoxicated by alcohol and usually well over the .08% blood alcohol concentration limit that is legal in Los Angeles, as was the case with Grady.
Both Los Angeles DUI and DWI charges can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony criminal offense depending on the particular details of each case. If another person was injured or dies as a result of DUI or DWI, the case will almost certainly become a felony, with much harsher penalties as a result. Prior convictions for either offense may also factor heavily into making a case a misdemeanor or a felony. A typical punishment for a misdemeanor DUI or DWI offense in Los Angeles, especially for a first time offense, might be probation, fines loss of driving privileges and potentially as much as six months in a county jail.
A felony DUI or DWI conviction might garner several years in a state prison if injury or death is caused to another person. The Los Angeles DUI and DWI legal process is made all the more complicated with the addition of a DMV hearing. Once you are arrested for a Los Angeles DUI or DWI, your driving privileges are automatically suspended. From that point you have just 10 days to contact a criminal defense attorney and schedule a DMV hearing to determine whether or not your driving privileges can be reinstated until your DWI or DUI hearing is completed.
If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, call the Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Their combined 50 years of courtroom experience in defending against DUI and DWI charges will skillfully and carefully guide you through the legal process and fight for you.
