What is the difference between a DWI and a DUI. Which is a worse offense?
-M
They may both exist in some states, in which case I don’t know, but my impression had been that for the most part that is a simple case of different states using slightly different lingo to describe the same thing. There is no such thing as a DUI in Texas.
New York used to (I don’t know the current law) distinguish between Driving Under the Influence, a lesser charge, and Driving While Intoxicated, the line being .08% blood alcohol, alcohol being present in the blood to a lesser degree and some impairment in driving being grounds to convict on DUI (which was also available for plea bargaining). DWI was a misdemeanor for the first conviction and a felony for any subsequent offenses.
Damn, that sucks. My friend just got a DWI last night…he already had one last year so this is his second offense like this. I don’t know if it was a DUI or a DWI last time, or even if NJ uses both. With his first one which was less than a year ago. He hit a parked car (But the person who owned it didn’t respond to letters and didn’t press charges) and was pulled over while driving on four flat tires. He lost his license for 6 months and had to serve 30 hours of community service…which he never did and they never acted upon. I guess this time it will be more severe. The state is NJ if anyone knows the laws here. Thanks.
-M
Perhaps your friend should consider not driving while shit-faced. The fact that he’s done this twice within a year means there’s a good chance he’s going to kill someone if he doesn’t change his behavior.
As to your question, state law matters such as this are typicaly too technical for someone on a message board to consider answering, even were one of us to know the answer. Your friend should probably consult an attorney. In the meantime, perhaps this link will be helpful:
–Cliffy
Thanks…I called my attorney to help him out and see if he won’t have to serve time in prison. I’ll check out the link.
-M
I get to buy his BMW so he can pay his upcoming attorney bills. That’s good for me. Heh.