Is there a difference between a DUI, DWI, OWI and OUI? If so, what's the difference?
Differentiating Drunk Driving Charges
DUI: Driving Under The Influence (of alcohol or other chemical substances). A DUI is a drunk driving charge under the State of Alaska Criminal Code. There is a separate drunk driving crime called a Felony DUI.
OUI: Operating While Under The Influence (of alcohol or other chemical substances). A drunk driving charge under the Anchorage Municipal Code is referred to as an OUI, operating while under the influence.
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated. Both the State of Alaska Code and the Anchorage Municipal Code referred to drunk driving charges as DWI previously; the term has changed in recent years so drunk driving is now called "DUI" if charged by the State, and "OUI" if charged by the Municipality of Anchorage.
OWI: Operating While Intoxicated, Operating While Impaired, Operating a motor vehicle While Under The Influence (of alcohol or other chemical substances). Alaska laws do not use the term "OWI."
Alaska Drunk Driving Laws
Under Alaska drunk driving laws, if the Municipality of Anchorage charges a person with a drunk driving offense, it is called an "OUI" under the Municipal Code of Ordinances.
When a person is charged with a drunk driving offense outside of the municipality of Anchorage, the charge is called "DUI" under the State Criminal Code.
Felony DUI is a separate crime charged as a Felony offense, when there are two or more prior convictions for DUI or Refusal within 10 years prior to the arrest in the current case.
Talk To An Attorney Today
To speak with an attorney today, please call Fred Slone at (907) 272-4471.
