What is the difference between a DUI and an OUI? Or a DUI and DWI? Or a DUI and an OWI?
DUI here in California, and a number of other states, means “driving under the influence.” While the meaning of DUI remains the same amongst states that use that acronym, the law which prohibits driving the influence may not be.
In California, a person can be charged with a DUI if they have a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, or if the person is “under the influence.” And being under the influence in California means being affected by alcohol or a drug (either prescription or non-prescription) such that the person’s ability to drive a vehicle is not as it would have been if the person was sober.
Now I don’t know what the exact law is in other states being a DUI attorney in California exclusively. What I can tell you is what the acronyms mean in other states.
The OUI in the title means “operating under the influence of an intoxicating liquor.”
Other states use different abbreviations. OVI means “operating a vehicle while intoxicated.” OMVI means “operating a motor vehicle while impaired.” DUII means “driving under the influence of intoxicants.” DUII-CS means “driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances.” OWI means “operating while intoxicated.” DWI means “driving while intoxicated.” DWAI means “driving while ability impaired.”
Call it what you want, they all generally mean the same thing and none of them are good.
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