Drinking And Driving Laws And Penalties

In Canada

For the first offense: $1000 fine, 1-year driving prohibition;
For the second offense: 30 days jail, 2-year driving prohibition
For the third or subsequent offense: 120 days jail, 3-year driving prohibition.

In Ontario, a person convicted of a DUI must also complete an 8 month training course and install an ignition interlock device for a period of one year after the licence suspension. Jail time can be imposed for any first time Criminal Code drinking and driving offence. Jail is appropriate where there is an accident and/or the readings are high. Readings above 160 mg/100mLs are an aggravating circumstance. Jail is the minimum punishment for second and third offences.

In The United States

The various versions of "driving under the influence" generally constitute a misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail). However, the offense may be elevated to a felony (punishable by a longer term in state prison) if the incident caused serious injury (felony DUI), death (vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide), or extensive property damage (a state specified dollar amount) or if the defendant has a designated number of prior DUI convictions within a given time period (commonly, 3 prior convictions within 7 years). California, which is being followed by a growing number of states, now charges second-degree murder where the legal state of mind of malice exists that is, where the defendant exhibited a reckless indifference to the lives of others.

Drivers stopped for drunk driving who refuse to take the sobriety test or whose test results exceed the legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) may have their driver's license confiscated on the spot, and their suspension begins immediately.

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