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RHODE ISLAND CRIMINAL DEFENSE BLOG

The National Transportation Safety Board Proposes Tougher Drunk Driving Threshold

Posted by Matthew Marin | May 12, 2014 | 0 Comments

The National Transportation Safety Board has proposed a significantly more severe drunk driving threshold.  Currently, the national standard for driving under the influence of alcohol is federally mandated at a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration.  With the 0.08 standard, nearly 10,000 people are killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes.  The NTSB has recommended that the federally mandated standard be lowered from 0.08 to 0.05 blood alcohol concentration.  With the lower threshold, an average 180 lb male would reach the 0.05 limit after two to three drinks in one hour.

Lowering the drunk driving threshold would cause significant problems for law enforcement in Rhode Island DUI cases.  Some possible problems from a lowered threshold include an increasing importance of the margin of error when interpreting breath test results.  As the blood alcohol concentration numbers get lower, the margin of error for the breath test results become increasingly important as it could mean the difference between a Rhode Island DUI conviction and a not guilty finding.  Moreover, Police training is based upon Standardized Field Sobriety Tests which have been scientifically validated to indicate impairment at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 or higher.  How these tests are to be used and interpreted in a legal environment in which the drunk driving threshold is 0.05 is difficult to understand.  Needless to say, the assistance of a skilled Rhode Island DUI Attorney whenever you are facing a Rhode Island DUI charge.

At the Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esquire, Inc. we are experienced and skilled Rhode Island DUI Attorney's.  Contact us to set up a confidential, no fee consultation today so that we can put our knowledge and experience to work for you.  We are available 24/7 at 401-228-8271,[email protected], or on our website athttp://www.matthewtmarin.com/rhode_island_dui_defense_lawyer.html.

For more information on particular areas of Rhode Island's DUI laws, visit the links below:

About the Author

Matthew Marin

Attorney Matthew T. Marin is a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer with an outstanding track record in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. With expertise in DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes, he is dedicated to providing personalized and effective representation for his clients. A "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers and a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Attorney Marin is committed to staying current with the latest legal developments and giving back to his community through pro bono work.

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Attorney Marin Named A SuperLawyer for Ten Consecutive Years 2014-2023

Attorney Matthew Marin has been named a Rhode Island SuperLawyer for 10 consecutive years from 2014 thru 2023. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Rhode Island are selected by the Research Team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers selects lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in their practice area.


Rhode Island Members of the National College for DUI Defense

Attorneys Marin and Barrett are both Rhode Island General Members of the National College for DUI Defense. Members represent some of the most experienced and cutting edge DUI defense attorney's throughout the Country. Nationwide, DUI laws are extremely complex and constantly changing and the College facilitates the exchange of innovative defenses throughout the Country.