Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Overview of the Crime of Drunk Driving

Overview of the Crime of Drunk Driving

Each US state has its own set of drunk-driving laws, but there are certain concepts and features common to all or most states' drunk-driving jurisprudence. Basically, as we all know, it is illegal and a crime for a person to operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs to a degree that impairs his or her safe driving ability and judgment. Both criminal and civil penalties for drunk driving can be harsh and often include:

* Loss or suspension of license

* Large fines

* Substance-abuse treatment

* Jail or prison time

* Community service

* Restitution

* Restrictive probationary programs

In addition, the social stigma and sometimes the difficulty of dealing with the pain of having harmed an innocent person may have lifelong negative consequences.