DUI Dictionary

Drunk driving arrests, DUI / DWI arrests, cases involving driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), or the combination of alcohol and drugs, all seem to have their own language. Indeed, DUI / DWI criminal defense lawyers seem to have their own language as well. As any criminal defense attorney who concentrates on defending drinking and driving cases will admit, there are special terms which are not readily understood. The following are often-used (and not often easily understood) terms relating to DWI / DUI, drunk driving, drinking and driving, DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) and other related criminal arrests:

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Oculomotor - Movement of the eyeball.

Odor of alcohol on breath - The most dependably recurring symptom in an officer’s report after stopping someone for suspected drunk driving. While alcohol itself has little or no odor, the odor of the flavorings can be deceptive as to the strength or amount consumed.

OMVI - Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, or operating a motor vehicle while impaired. Intoxication or impairment may be caused by drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs in those states that use OMVI as an acronym for drunk driving.

One-Leg-Stand (OLS) Test - One of the three tests that make up the standardized field sobriety test battery. This test requires a subject to stand on one leg, look at his or her foot and count out loud until told to stop. The subject is assessed on the ability to understand and follow instructions as well as the ability to maintain balance in this position until told to stop.

Optokinetic Nystagmus - A nystagmus evident when an object that the eye fixates upon moves quickly out of sight or passes quickly through the field of vision, such as occurs when a subject watches utility poles pass by while in a moving car. Optokinetic nystagmus is also caused by watching alternating moving images, such as black and white spokes on a spinning wheel.

Oscillate - to move back and forth at a constant rate between two points.

OUI - Operating under the influence. Like the other acronyms, OUI can refer to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. Whether or not someone is under the influence is a complicated question, and many factors must be considered in making that determination.

OWI - Operating while intoxicated, or operating while impaired. Again, this intoxication or impairment may be as the result of consuming alcohol or any drug, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.