Most counties offer probation and alcohol education. The offender's driving license is always placed in jeopardy due to statutory and administrative suspension. Often a police officer will stop a vehicle for routine causes such as speeding or other traffic violation, equipment deficiencies or such as discussed above. Upon stopping the vehicle and talking with the driver, the officer may quickly come to a conclusion that the driver has consumed alcoholic beverages. In most jurisdictions, it is not against the law to have consumed alcohol and then drive a vehicle.
All states have prohibitions against operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Regardless of the reason for the stop, the officer can ask the driver to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests at the scene if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence. The time when courts were likely to let a drunk driver off with a fairly light penalty is gone. Today, a drunk-driving charge can bring heavy fines and prison sentences. Repeat OWI offenses almost assure this. Regardless of what you might think, a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated is not a minor traffic offense, it is a criminal conviction and it will be part of your permanent criminal record.