Driving in the U.S. is considered a privilege, and this privilege is something you can lose by breaking the law. Drinking while driving is one common offense that causes people to lose this privilege, and this is a crime the law takes seriously. If you were recently arrested for a DUI for the first time, you may be wondering what consequences you will pay. While every case is different, there are several factors that will affect the punishment you receive.

Your Blood-Alcohol Content Level

Blood-alcohol content (BAC) is used to determine how drunk a person is when he or she is pulled over while driving. This test will reveal the amount of alcohol in your blood, and it is usually determined with a breathalyzer test. These tests are accurate and fast, and they are used whenever a police officer believes a person is drinking.

The BAC legal limit in the U.S. is 0.08. If the test reveals a number lower than this, you will not be charged with a DUI crime. If the test reveals a number higher than this, you can be arrested and taken to jail.

When the time comes for you to go to court for this charge, the court will look at several things. The first thing is your driving record. If this is your first offense, your consequences will most likely be less than they would be if you have other driving violations on your record. Secondly, the court will look at what your BAC level was. If you were right around the 0.08 cutoff, your punishment might be less than it would be if your BAC was at 0.15, for example.

Effects On Others

The second big factor that will affect your consequences is if others were affected. For example, if you caused an accident that injured or killed other people, the judge is likely to give you a harsh punishment. On the other hand, if you were simply pulled over and did not injure another person, the judge may give you a lighter sentence.

All states can punish DUI offenders with jail time, but this is not always the case. In addition, you might lose your license or suffer from other consequences. If you want to obtain the best results from your case, it will be wise to hire a good lawyer that is experienced with DUI cases. To learn more, contact a DUI attorney, such as Jack Weatherill Law Offices today.