Opinion ID: 2330476
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Delaware and Florida DUI Statutes

Text: Delaware's driving under the influence (DUI) statute provides enhanced penalties for repeat offenders. [3] Section 4177B(e) defines prior offenses and sets a time limit on the use of prior convictions. A person convicted of driving under the influence is sentenced as a repeat offender under section 4177(d) if, within five years immediately preceding the present offense, that person has been convicted pursuant to . . . § 4177 of this title, or a similar statute of any state or local jurisdiction. [4] The Superior Court held that Stewart's conviction for driving under the influence in Florida was pursuant to a similar statute within the meaning of section 4177B(e)(1). At the time of Stewart's Florida conviction, the Delaware driving under the influence statute provided as follows: (a) No person shall drive a vehicle: (1) When the person is under the influence of alcohol; (2) When the person is under the influence of any drug; (3) When the person is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and any drug; (4) When the person's alcohol concentration is .10 or more; or (5) When the person's alcohol concentration is, within 4 hours after the time of driving .10 or more. [5] Florida's DUI statute provides, in part: (1) A person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and is subject to punishment as provided in subsection (2) if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state and: (a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that the person's normal faculties are impaired; (b) The person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or (c) The person has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. [6]