DUI Vs. DWI

Review the differences between a DUI and a DWI charges with this article.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense in California. What about driving while intoxicated (DWI)? How do these two actions compare to one another? In California, there is no separate charge for DWI. Generally, drivers are only charged with a DUI.

Find out more about the distinction between DUI and DWI with this article. Consider the results of a DUI arrest and review your legal options if you are facing criminal charges.

Defining Driving Under the Influence in California

The court may charge drivers in California with a DUI for many reasons. You could face DUI charges if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Like many other states, California expects drivers to keep their BAC under 0.08%. However, DUI charges also apply if you are:

Under 21 with a BAC at or above 0.01%
A commercial driver with a BAC at or above 0.04%

DUI charges also apply to drivers who operate a vehicle after using drugs in California. You may hear these charges called DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) charges. The state does not permit you to drive with any amount of drugs in your system. There is no minimum allowable limit for driving after using marijuana, for example.

Consider the Implications of Driving While Intoxicated

Some states use DUI and DWI charges. States that use DWI charges often use them specifically to deal with alcohol use by drivers. DWI charges may also be used to prosecute more serious offenses. For example, some states use DWI charges only if a driver’s BAC is well above the legal limit.

This distinction does not exist in California. Our state only uses DUI charges. These charges may vary in severity depending upon your age and your BAC at the time of your arrest. However, you do not face specific charges for DWI in our state.

The Results of a DUI Conviction in California

As we mentioned, DUI charges are treated very seriously in California. You may face numerous penalties for a conviction, including:

Fines
Jail time
Orders to attend DUI classes
Time spent on probation
Restrictions on your driving privileges

Additionally, DUIs are considered “priorable” in the state of California. This means they count against you if you are arrested for another DUI offense. Each DUI charge stays on your driving record for 10 years. A conviction stays on your criminal record indefinitely.

You face increased penalties each time you are convicted of a DUI in California. You could even face felony charges if you have four or more DUI convictions within a 10-year period. You may also face felony charges if someone is hurt or killed in a DUI accident.

You may get help handling DUI charges in California by reaching out to a lawyer. Contact a law firm for more information about DUI accusations by calling (310) 929-6503.

Get Help Handling a DUI Charge in California

A DUI may have serious impacts on your life in California. Fortunately, you have some legal options if you are accused of a DUI. You may work with a DUI lawyer. Your lawyer may assess your case and begin working on a defense quickly.

Sometimes, DUI charges in California are dismissed by the court. Your charges may also be reduced through a plea bargain. In other situations, a lawyer could defend you in court, working to bring you a not guilty verdict. A lawyer could work to show that:

You Were Stopped Without Reasonable Cause

Law enforcement officers in California must have a good reason to stop you. They cannot just pull you over without reason. A lawyer could work to show that you were not breaking any laws or driving in an unreasonable way at the time you were stopped.

You Were Not Driving Under the Influence

Sometimes, drivers face DUI charges even though they were not impaired by a chemical substance. A lawyer could work to show that you were not impaired at the time of your arrest. Your lawyer could even work to dispute the results of any BAC tests you took.

Get Help Understanding DUI and DWI Charges Right Now

Interested in the DUI vs. DWI comparison? California does not use the DWI distinction. All charges related to driving while impaired are covered by the DUI label. Get help if you are charged with a DUI by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. Reach out to us now if you’d like a free consultation. We could assess your unique situation right now.