DUI Legal Glossary

Glossary of DUI Legal Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Click on the first letter of the word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary.

- A -

24D Disposition: A legal status given to OUI Convictions more that 10 years old, allowing a 2nd offense OUI to be treated as a first offender if the motion is allowed by the judge.

Alcohol Education Program: One of the required penalties of an OUI conviction. 1st Offenders must take a 16 week course, 2nd offenders must participate in a 2 week inpatient program. There are also some accelerated first offense programs available.

Alcohol Gaze Nystagmus: Gaze Nystagmus caused by the effects of alcohol upon the nervous system.

Alphabet Test: A field sobriety "test" consisting of reciting the alphabet, backwards or forwards from different start and stop points. Not considered an accurate or scientific test.

Appeal: The right to appeal a guilty finding in an OUI within 30 days of your conviction. OUI Appeals are a specialized area of the law.

APS, or Administrative Per Se: In many states, there are two separate cases that arise from a single drunk driving arrest: the court case, and the Administrative Per Se, or APS case, with the Motor Vehicles Department. In cases where someone is arrested for DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, or a related drunk driving charge, and gives a breath or blood test with results that are above the legal limit, the Motor Vehicles Department will take an administrative action against the driver. Most states limit the time a driver has to request a hearing to contest the APS action. Usually, it is just a few days.

Arraignment: The first court appearance after an arrest, where the charges are formally read, and you plead not guilty.