Each year countless people are arrested and charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence). In case you haven’t noticed, the penalties for drinking and driving have gotten a lot tougher thanks to groups like MADD. Even for first offenders, the costs of a drunk driving conviction can add up quickly.

If someone is arrested for drunk driving, most states make the assumption that the person has a drinking problem and they mandate alcohol evaluation, education and treatment before restoring driving privileges. Many of those who are arrested or convicted of DUI are not alcholics or people with drinking problemsbut the law doesn’t see it that way. Consider the increase in the number of DUI arrests around the holidays when most adults will be out at parties and it’s not uncommon to have one too many drinks with friends. This does not mean that a person who has made an error in judement should be harassed, punished excessively or lose their employment because of a mistake.

Laws regarding drunk driving vary from state to state. These pages will attempt to explain the highlights of the laws of each state in the US for driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated or operating a vehicle while intoxicated and offer information regarding legal issues that may face anybody pulled over for a DUI.