When you take the wheel of your car and go for a drive, be sure that you are in sober state so that you do not end up in trouble. In the state of Oregon, driving under the influence of intoxicants is a serious offense and may compel you to challenge against the courts. You can be arrested for DUII if you fail the field sobriety tests being performed on you. This test is administered to check whether you lack the clearness of mind and physical control that you normally possess because of the intoxicant you have consumed. Meanwhile, if you refuse to participate, such refusal to undergo the test will still be used against you by the authorities. Apart from this, your blood alcohol level will also be examined, and if results show that it is .08% or higher, regardless whether your ability to drive has been affected or not, a ground for an arrest of DUII is still valid.
DUII Arrests in Oregon
If proven that an intoxicant is affecting you ability to drive, a DUII arrest in Oregon will leave you facing two separate cases; the first is with the criminal courts where most of the charges for the offense is given. Rendering the sentence may include jail time, harsh fines, and community service. The second one is a case of losing your right to drive. A case with the DMV will cause the revocation of your driver’s license if you fail to request for a hearing within ten days from your arrest.
And because the state of Oregon is governed by implied consent, one automatically consents to a blood, breath, or urine test when driving a vehicle. Refusal to take participation in the conduct of such tests can be used against you as evidence in court.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
For your first drunk driving conviction, expect to be imposed with the following consequences:
Stricter penalties are given for subsequent offenders.
However, in lieu of being convicted of DUII, offenders may choose the opportunity to participate in an alcohol/drug evaluation and education/rehabilitation program called the DUII Diversion Program, provided they have completed the requirements stipulated in the program. Your lawyer will help you determine if you are eligible for the program. Upon the completion of the diversion program, there will no longer be a DUII conviction reflected in your driving record.
License Suspensions for Oregon DUII
With the conviction of DUII in Oregon, you will also lose your license to drive in the following manner:
A separate consequence is also imposed by DMV for suspension of implied consents for DUII arrests where driving privileges are suspended for times as follows:
Steeper suspensions for the above items are awarded to offenders who have prior alcohol-related violations in the last five years.
Insurance Consequences
Apart from the problems posed with your conviction of DUII, you will also face a challenge from your insurance company. Getting your license back after the suspension may be more difficult for you to do because of the insurance requirement. In this case, insurance companies will find it difficult to trust you having charged of the violation, thus the willingness to insure you have now become slim. If your insurer is still willing to cover you despite of your DUII conviction in Oregon, expect that premiums to cover you will now be priced at a much higher rate.