Some laws governing the use of alcohol are fairly uniform no matter which U.S. state you visit. For instance, all fifty states have made it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) higher than 0.08 percent, known as “driving under the influence” or “DUI” in many states. Also, many states have “dram shop laws,” which differ in their particulars but which all allow lawsuits against alcohol sellers who continue selling drinks to someone who is obviously intoxicated.
Some alcohol laws, however, vary wildly from state to state, and what is legal in one state may be illegal only a few miles away in another state. Many of these laws are unnecessarily confusing or burdensome, according to a recent editorial in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
For instance, in Texas, a law prohibits partygoers from consuming more than three sips of beer or another alcoholic beverage while standing, lest they commit an act of “public drunkenness.” Pennsylvania doesn’t prevent bar patrons from drinking, but it does limit the number of liquor licenses based on population, making it difficult, if not impossible, for new restaurants and bars to serve alcohol legally.
Even here in New Hampshire, state-run liquor stores can be found in interstate rest areas. Add the burdens of administrative license suspensions, hearings, court dates, and the stiff penalties most states impose when a driver is convicted of DUI, and the simple act of having a beer can become bafflingly complicated.
Drunk driving laws can be confusing, and a case based on them can be overwhelming. If you’re facing DUI charges, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced DUI defense lawyers in New Hampshire at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We will fight to protect your rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential telephone consultation, call us today at (603) 614-5055.