What penalties are threatened for driving under the influence of alcohol?
November 22, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Jessica Lange
Dear lawyer,
my name is Rolf Wunderlich and I have a question regarding traffic law. Recently, I was stopped by the police and an elevated blood alcohol level was detected. I am aware that this is a serious offense and I would like to know what penalties I may now face.
I am 45 years old, married, and have two children. I am employed and rely on my car to get to work. Therefore, my driver's license is very important to me and I am very concerned that I could lose it due to my misconduct. I am aware that driving under the influence of alcohol is not only dangerous, but also carries legal consequences.
Can you please explain to me what penalties I may expect and how my offense could affect my driver's license? Are there any ways to lessen the punishment or to keep my driver's license? I would like to know how to best handle this situation and what steps I should take now.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Rolf Wunderlich
Dear Mr. Wunderlich,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding traffic law. The incident you described, where an elevated blood alcohol level was detected in you, is indeed a serious violation of traffic rules. Driving under the influence of alcohol not only poses a danger to yourself, but also to other road users and is accordingly punished severely.
In Germany, there is a legal limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers. If your alcohol level is found to be above this limit, you may face various penalties. Firstly, you can expect a fine. The exact amount of the fine depends on various factors, such as your income and the level of alcohol detected. In particularly serious cases, a prison sentence may also be imposed.
Furthermore, you are likely to face a driving ban. The duration of the ban also depends on the alcohol level detected and can range from one month to several months. In particularly severe cases, there is also a risk of having your driver's license revoked, meaning you will have to reapply for it.
However, there are ways to mitigate the punishment or retain your license. One option is to participate in traffic psychological counseling or a MPU (Medical-Psychological Examination). By positively participating in such a measure, you can demonstrate that you are remorseful for your actions and willing to change. This can have a positive impact on the severity of your punishment.
It is important that you act quickly now and seek legal advice immediately. An experienced traffic law attorney can help you protect your rights and develop the best defense strategy for your case. Do not hesitate to seek professional help.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or require legal advice, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Jessica Lange, Attorney at Law
