Hawaii DUI / DWI arrests trigger two separate cases – in court, and at the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office (ADLRO). Although both cases carry the potential for heavy consequences, the ADLRO case is far more time sensitive. If a motorist accused of drunk driving doesn’t promptly request an administrative hearing, the ADLRO will summarily suspend the driver’s privileges.

Both the criminal prosecution and the ADLRO case that stem from a Hawaii drunk driving arrest require expert legal help. Any driver arrested for DUI / DWI should contact a Hawaii DUI defense attorney immediately. An attorney who focuses on defending driving under the influence cases can act quickly to protect the driver’s rights.

Hawaii DUI / DWI laws – also called OVUII laws, for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant – are getting stricter all the time. Motorists accused of drunk driving in Hawaii face fines, license suspensions, and jail time.

Even those drivers arrested while on vacation or serving in the military in Hawaii face threats to their driving privileges after a DUI / DWI arrest. The Interstate Driver’s License Compact means that a Hawaii drunk driving arrest will be reported to the licensing state, and will result in a suspension or revocation there.

Hawaii DUI / DWI laws allow for criminal court prosecutions on one of two theories: Either that the motorist was driving while impaired, or violated the state’s “per se” laws by having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater.

Hawaii DUI / DWI law prosecutions based on impairment typically look to four areas to prove that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. These areas include driving patterns, the driver’s physical appearance, field sobriety test results, and chemical test results.

Prosecutions based on the per se law focus solely on whether the driver had a blood or breath alcohol content of .08 or greater, regardless of whether the driver was actually impaired.

In Hawaii, there is a five-year "lookback" period for drunk driving cases, meaning that if there is a prior DUI / DWI conviction within that five-year period, the punishment for purposes of both court and the ADLRO driver’s license suspension dramatically increase. A fourth-offense DUI / DWI is a felony, and can mean a prison term of up to five years.

Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI / DWI offense in Hawaii face the following punishment: Two to five days in jail, a $150 to $1,000 fine, 72 hours community service, a 14-hour or longer substance abuse rehabilitation program, including education and counseling, and a 90-day license suspension. Some drivers may be eligible for a restricted license after 30 days.

Because the consequences of a Hawaii DUI / DWI conviction are so severe, it’s imperative to have a skilled defense lawyer fighting for the driver’s rights. The top defense attorneys of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com are available to provide a free consultation and can outline how an aggressive defense strategy can minimize or eliminate the repercussions of a Hawaii drunk driving arrest.

DISCLAIMER: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.