Boise DUI Lawyer Talks About DUI Statistics

As a Boise DUI Lawyer I have spoken frequently about the increase in the number of DUI arrests around the holidays. Interestingly in today's Idaho Statesman, there was an article outlining the numbers for Idaho DUI arrests, crashes and fatalities. In addition, the article discussed the increase in the number of excessive DUI arrests. An excessive DUI is when the BAC of the individual is .20 or higher.

The statistics showed that the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Idaho have increased and the crashes and fatalities have decreased. In 2005 Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 9,072 people in Idaho for driving under the influence. There were 1,952 DUI crashes that year and 100 fatalities. By 2009 the number of DUI arrests had increased to 12,327. The number of crashes associated with driving under the influence decreased to 1,567 and the death rate decreased to 65.

While those number represent a decrease in accidents and deaths and an increase in arrests, something disturbing is on the rise. The statistics show that Boise Police and Idaho State Police are steadily increasing the number of individuals they arrest for excessive DUI. Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 279 individuals and cited them for excessive DUI in 2006 in Ada County. That number has increased to 384 to date and there are still two weeks of the year left.

As a Boise DUI Lawyer I walk that fine line of excessive DUI with my clients, particularly when they have blown barely a .20. The penalty for excessive DUI is so much greater than a regular driving under the influence charge. While I never condone drinking and driving, it is my responsibility as an Idaho Criminal Attorney to preserve an individual's rights. Because the statistics show that the calibration of breathylzers are not 100% accurate there is always that possibility that an individual arrested for excessive DUI may not have actually had .20 BAC. As a Idaho Criminal Attorney, I would not recommend that you not blow when you are pulled over, but when someone is so close to an excessive DUI a blood draw would give a more accurate BAC. As a Boise DUI Lawyer, I recommend that every excessive DUI charge be challenged at the very minimum on a calibration technicality. I want to stress again, however, that I am in no way advocating driving under the influence. My suggestion to challenge the excessive DUI comes from my role as a defender of your rights. My role as a Boise DUI Lawyer and an Idaho Criminal Attorney is to represent my clients in such a way that they are not convicted of a crime by false evidence or an illegal violation of their rights.

For more information concerning DUI in Idaho visit www.lawboiseid.com or call (208) 472-2383.