If you live in Hawaii, are vacationing or visiting there, and you are stopped by the police and arrested on a DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) charge, you need to find a Hawaii lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable in the field of DUI laws. DWI and DUI laws change so quickly that you need to make sure you hire an expert Hawaii lawyer to help you present your case to the court system and judge.

You must file a challenge to your DUI charge within 10 days or you will lose your driver’s license without a hearing. Contact and hire a Hawaii lawyer experienced in DUI laws now to help you with this process.

DWI and DUI laws specific to Hawaii include:

• 0.08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level and above is an illegal concentration of alcohol in your system, and you are considered automatically intoxicated by legal definition.
• Zero tolerance limit of 0.02 BAC is designed for drivers under the age of 21. It is illegal for them to have any amount of alcohol in their bodies while driving.
• There is an enhanced penalty if the BAC levels are 0.15 or higher.
• There is an implied consent law, which means if you are driving, you consent to a blood or breath test if stopped by a police officer. Refusal would mean automatic suspension of your license.

Hawaii DUI laws and procedures in the courtroom need to be addressed by an experienced Hawaii lawyer well-versed in these matters. The State of Hawaii also calls a DUI an OVUII (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence of an Intoxicant). In Hawaii, the legal limit of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level must be below 0.08. If your BAC level is 0.08 or higher, you are considered in violation and you are considered intoxicated. However, you can still be arrested on a DUI charge if you are stopped and tested with a resulting BAC level below 0.08.

In Hawaii, as in most other states, a DUI charge brings about two separate cases. The first one is the criminal indictment and the second one revolves around the Hawaii Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office. The Hawaii ADLRO is most interested in whether your driver’s license is going to be suspended or revoked.

The Hawaii DUI criminal charge will be processed through the Hawaii district court. Your license suspension or revocation case is administered strictly through the Hawaii ADLRO. If you do not live in Hawaii but were just vacationing there and are arrested and convicted on a DUI charge, your license will also be suspended in the state where you live when you return there. Hawaii complies with what is called the Interstate Drivers License compact, so what affects you in Hawaii also affects you in your home state.

Punishments

In Hawaii, if you are convicted on a DWI or DUI or OVUII charge, you will be handed an immediate suspension of your driver’s license for 90 days. If you are employed and can show a need for transportation to work, that timeframe may be reduced to 30 days, but you will only be able to drive back-and-forth to work for the complete 90 days.

For a first offense

• A monetary fine of $150 to $1,000
• Jail time from 2 to 5 days
• Community service for 3 days
• Attendance of an educational program
• Driver’s license revocation of 3 months

Second offense penalties

• Jail time from 5 to 14 days (or 240 hours of community service time)
• A monetary fine between $500 and $1,500
• Driver’s license revocation for one year

Third offense consequences

• Jail time between 10 and 30 days
• A monetary fine between $500 and $2,500
• Driver’s license revocation for anywhere from 2 to 5 years

Keep in mind as well that when, and if, your driving privileges are returned to you, your insurance rates will also raise.

If you have a DUI charge pending in the State of Hawaii , you need to secure a Hawaii lawyer who is an expert in the field of DUI law to help you through this process and try to secure the best outcome possible for you.

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