A judge in the Clatsop County Circuit Court in Astoria, OR recently sentenced a man to serve five years in prison on felony charges of drinking and driving. The defendant, a fifty-three year old man, now has a history of ten arrests for DUI, which occurred in multiple states including Oregon, Alaska and Washington. Drinking and driving is usually charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in county jail, but most legislatures have categorized it as a felony in cases of multiple DUI offenses, as in this situation.
Driving under the influence is a crime in all states across the nation, though the specific laws and DUI penalties vary from place to place. When a suspect is arrested for drunk driving while on a vacation or business trip, the situation can be complicated by the overlapping jurisdictions. An out-of-state DUI offense will usually expose the driver to criminal prosecution in the state where the violation occurred, as well as sanctions at home, as the arresting law enforcement agency will report the matter to the local Department of Motor Vehicles, which will then typically share the information with the DMV in the suspect's state of residence. The result is that in addition to facing a possible criminal sentence in the other state, the defendant is at risk of receiving a suspended license at home.
Whether you have been arrested for drinking and driving in another state or if you have prior offenses on your record, you need skilled legal defense to help you resolve the matter in your favor. Contact a DUI lawyer at DUIHeroes today for a free consultation to discuss the charges and learn more about your legal options. The firm, located in Lynwood, WA, has an extensive track record of success in defending DUI suspects, and is ready to begin work on your case today.