A driver who is in command of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be arrested under Hawaii DUI laws. There are two circumstances in which a driver could be convicted for drunk driving in Hawaii. First, if the police officer pulls you over for suspicion of drunk-driving, you should submit to a blood alcohol content (BAC) test to determine the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream. If the result shows .08% or higher BAC, you can be convicted for DUI. You have the option to whether take or refuse the chemical test. However, keep in mind that your refusal can be used against you in court proceedings to attest your guilt. You can also be arrested and convicted if the prosecutor can prove your impaired driving based on circumstantial evidences such as your driving pattern and the result of your field sobriety test.
DUI Arrests in Hawaii
If you are charged with a DUI in Hawaii you will face two separate legal challenges: one in the District court and one with the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office. Your potential penalties and punishments such as fines, period of imprisonment, educational requirements, and many other grounds will be determined by the District court. On the other hand, you will have to present your case in the ADLRO to save your driving license otherwise you won’t be able to drive in a certain period of time. Even if you are driving in Hawaii using a license from another state, you will still risk losing your permit to drive if you are convicted of a DUI in Hawaii. For this reason, you need to immediately contact a qualified DUI lawyer at time of your arrest. A DUI attorney can very well assist you on the proceedings and suggest a legal approach to defend your case.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
Penalties for DUI conviction can be staggering. Repeat offenders can expect severe charges over first time offenders. Likewise, drivers who refused to take the BAC test can also expect tougher consequences. If your present Hawaii DUI conviction is the first on your record, you will have to face the following consequences:
License Suspension for Hawaii DUI
Along with direct penalties that come with a DUI conviction, you can also expect to have your license suspended in the following manner:
If you are a first time offender and if you need to drive to and from work or school, license suspension can be reduced to thirty days using a probationary license. Hawaii has a record-washout period of five years. This means that if you are again arrested and convicted for a DUI charge within the five-year period, you will be considered as a repeat offender and that you will have to face stricter consequences.
Insurance Consequences
Being convicted for a DUI can be very challenging. Aside from facing multiple charges, you will also have to face difficulties with your insurance carrier. While your insurance provider may allow you to keep your coverage, doing so can also mean higher premiums due to your DUI conviction. Sure you have the option of shifting from one insurance company to another, but you also have to expect higher premium than that of average insurance.