Have you been faced with a possible DUII charge? It’s in your best interest to hire a DUII defense to speak on your behalf. Criminal allegations are a serious matter that should be dealt with as soon as possible and driving under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance is one of the most common crimes the United States sees on the regular. Each state, however, has its own unique rules when it comes to assessing and convicting individuals. Read below to learn more about criminal allegations in the state of Oregon and what you should expect when working with a criminal defense lawyer.

Driving is a huge responsibility that requires the constant awareness of the driver, as well as routine upkeep, to keep everyone safe on the open road. Failure to meet this standard can put everyone at risk for property damage, injury and even death. Although alcohol is one of the primary substances linked to irresponsible driving, illegal drugs and even over-the-counter medications can factor into impaired judgement.

Not only is drunk driving common, it’s more pervasive in the day-to-day than you may think. It’s estimated the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times or more before their first arrest. This means, at any given point, a driver could be driving down the road with multiple encounters with impaired individuals without even realizing it. Estimates show people will drive drunk a collective 300,000 times on a daily basis. Fewer than 4,000, however, will actually be arrested and tried with criminal allegations.

Although a mere 10% of licensed drivers are under the age of 21, they are responsible for nearly 18% of all fatal alcohol-related crashes. The year 2012 saw over 10 million people reporting driving under the influence of illicit drugs in the past, as well. Despite common belief, you can be tried for a reckless driving charge for attempting to operate a motor vehicle while taking medication. Anti-allergy medication, for example, causes noticeable drowsiness and reduced motor control when ingested.

A common resource turned to more and more nowadays is that of ignition interlock systems. These are designed to prevent drunk driving from becoming a reoccurring behavior, though they are most often assigned to those that have committed repeat offenses. These work by detecting alcohol on the wearer’s breath when they step behind the wheel. If their BAC (blood alcohol content) is past a certain point, the car will ‘lock up’ and prevent them from operating the vehicle.

Oregon, just like any other state, has particular local laws that need to be identified if you are to receive a fair trial. For starters, Oregon prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with a BAC of .08% or higher. Your DUII law firm will be highly experienced in the details surrounding your case and will be able to provide you the necessary interviews and resources required at the time of the hearing. This can mean asking witnesses for information, analyzing your past history and determining any additional factors that could lead to a lighter sentence.

Drunk driving is no joke. Seek out the assistance of a criminal defense attorney so you can ensure everyone walks away better off than they were before.