What is the difference beteween a DWi and a DUI?
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What is the difference beteween a DWi and a DUI?
I’m confused. Are they different or the same thing?
Asked on November 25, 2018 under Criminal Law, Ohio
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Both of these terms are used in regarding to operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Specifcally, DWI is stands for "driving while intoxicated/impaired"; DUI stands for "driving under the influence". State laws vary as to how each is treated; these terms can either have different meanings or they can refer to the same offense. In the states in which the drunk driving laws are different for a DUI and a DWI, a DUI is treated as a lesser charge because it indicates a lesser degree of intoxication than a DWI. Additionally, these states sometimes may allow the charges of a DWI to be reduced to a DUI.
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