DUI Penalties in Kansas
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Like any other state, Kansas has its own DUI (Driving Under the Influence) laws and penalties. Generally, drivers suspected of drinking and driving need to cooperate with urine, breath, or blood testing to determine alcohol content. This is called “implied consent laws.” If a suspect rejects this, the license can be suspended.
Here are other considerations:
· Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – any driver with BAC above .08% is already considered “intoxicated” under the law. When this has been proven and substantiated, a driver can be convicted of DUI or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated).
· Enhanced Penalty BAC – some states have more stern punishment for BAC of .15%-.20% above legal limit. These enhanced penalty laws are not available in Kansas.
· Zero Tolerance BAC – all states have “zero tolerance laws” focused on drivers who have not yet reached the legal drinking age. For Kansas, however, people under 21 years old who have BAC of .02% or more are the ones subject to DUI penalties.
· Mandatory Alcohol Education – treatment for alcohol abuse and alcohol prevention programs may be required for Kansas offenders. These steps can take the place of paying fines or serving an imprisonment sentence.
· Administrative License Suspension or Revocation Penalties – For drivers declining to submit to urine, breath, or blood testing, penalties vary from temporary or permanent removal of the license. First offense in Kansas is for 90 days, second offense is for one year, and third offense is for three years.
Tags: BAC, drinking and driving, dui, Kansas