DUI - DWI - Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
Marin County, San Francisco North Bay, Ca. USA

and driving (North American English), or drink-driving (British/Irish and Australian/New Zealand English), is the act of operating a motor vehicle (and even a bicycle or horse in some jurisdictions) after having consumed alcohol (ethanol) or other drugs, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is a crime in most countries around the world.

In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of other drugs, a third "DUI" offense consists of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs. The drugs causing or contributing to the impairment need not be illegal, but can consist of lawfully prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Anti-drunk-driving advertising campaigns have aimed to raise awareness of the legal situation and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Drunk-driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries, damage and accidents every year. In most international jurisdictions, anyone who is convicted of injuring or killing someone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be heavily fined, as in France, in addition to being given a lengthy prison sentence.

The specific criminal offense may be called, depending on the jurisdiction, driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while impaired (also DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), driving under the combined influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, driving under the influence per se or drunk in charge [of a vehicle]. Such laws may also apply to boating (as in Canada, piloting aircraft, and even bicycling in some states such as California.

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