Driving under the influence, which is also commonly known as DUI, goes by many names in different states across the country. For example, the same crime is called driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas and called operating under the influence (OUI) in Rhode Island. No matter what it is called though, drunk driving is illegal in every U.S. state and the consequences can be anything from mild license suspensions and fines to jail time and permanent marks on your criminal record.

Driving under the influence is a crime because it is dangerous, not only to the offender, but also to other drivers using the roads. In fact, the high cost in property and personal damages that it extracts from society every year is part of the reason why the consequences can be so far-reaching and severe. In addition to suspensions, fines, and jail time drunk driving penalties can also include higher insurance rates, mandatory driving school classes, interlock ignition devices, losing the ability to rent a car and maybe even losing your job if you don't have another way to get to work.

Some offenders are so reluctant to face the consequences of breaking DUI laws that they seek the assistance of professional DUI lawyers. Even though some offenders may deserve the consequences in store for them, good legal advisors have been able to create enough reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors to reduce or eliminate the consequences.

With expert knowledge concerning the weaknesses in DUI evidence like physical appearance, driving behavior, sobriety tests and alcohol test, lawyers are able to defend their clients. For example, DUI lawyers stress the likelihood of human and technical errors in calculating alcohol content as well as alternative causes for incinerating evidence in the case. After all, the smell of alcohol on a person's breath is caused more by the kind of drink they consumed (ex. alcohol-free beers have a strong scent) than the amount of alcohol it contained. And red watery eyes could be the result of fatigue, smoke exposure and allergies rather than drinking.

There may be a few cases in which the defendant really has been unjustly accused, but it is harder to distinguish the innocent from the guilty when they are defended by a skilled DUI lawyer. Consequently, all might not be lost if you are pulled over for a drunk driving offense. You just need to find the right lawyer and appeal for a court hearing before your license is automatically suspended.