Another negative consequence of the economic downturn: employee fraud and thefts are on the rise.

Periodic credit and criminal background checks, also known as ‘continuous screening’ or ‘infinity background screening,’ have been shown to be effective risk management tools for companies and a major deterrent against potential fraud.

Employees facing increased financial hardships (such as having a spouse who was laid off, a sick family member or a home at risk of foreclosure) are more likely to take illegal actions to augment their incomes.

It is vital to an organization, large or small, to have a fraud prevention plan in place. The fraud cases studied in the ACFE 2014 Report revealed that the fraudulent activities studied lasted an average of 18 months before being detected. Imagine the type of loss your company could suffer with an employee committing fraud for a year and a half. Luckily, there are ways you can minimize fraud occurrences by implementing different procedures and controls.

There are countless ways workers steal from employers, but here are five of the most common with ways to fight back using the latest in digital security:

1. Know your employees. Be alert to key indicators of potential theft such as:

• Sudden, apparent devotion to work and working late.
• Lifestyles well above salary levels.
• Strong objections to procedural changes related to financial, inventory or supply matters.
• Drugs and alcohol abuse.
• Moonlighting with materials available at the business.
• Evidence of compulsive gambling, persistent borrowing or bad check writing.

NFIB recommends that small business employers perform background checks on potential hires. Checking references is one important step. But for employees entrusted with handling your money or financial records, a background check is better.

2. Supervise employees closely. Not surprisingly, studies show that when supervision is lax, theft and fraud rates go up. This doesn’t mean looking over their shoulder every minute. But it does mean checking what they do. It’s also wise to have more than one person looking out for your money.

3. Use purchase orders. The payment, receipt and preparation of purchase orders should be separate functions and handled by different individuals. Use serially pre-numbered purchase orders and always verify incoming orders.

Embezzlement has been the No. 1 financial crime for the past four decades; almost one-third of all company bankruptcies can be attributed to embezzlement.

Fraud, identity theft and property thefts account for 60 percent of a company’s annual losses.

Common employee frauds include false invoicing, check forgery, theft of cash and goods and setting up ghost employees or ghost vendor.

No one wants to call a bail bondsman. This means that a friend or family member has been arrested and needs your help getting out of jail. When people receive a phone call in the middle of the night that someone has been arrested, they know that their loved one is counting on them to help them get home as quickly as possible. In many cases, this means calling the first bond company whose name they remember.

In many cases, this means touching base with a large company that does a significant amount of radio, TV or print advertising. These companies are often national companies that happen to have local branches in a particular market. While they might provide outstanding service, there’s also a possibility that you can get lost in the shuffle of thousands of other clients.

The benefits begin with the fact that you will not have to post the entire bail in order to get out of jail quickly. The bail bond agency will ensure you are able to leave the prison even if you don’t have the money right away. With some form of collateral given to your bond agent, you are ensured a release from jail. The bondsman will have all the paperwork for you, and you or your family can rest assured that you will be out of prison within a short length of time.

You may be extremely unfamiliar with how the judicial system works, and you or your family will have little idea how to proceed if you find yourself in jail. A skilled bondsman has the knowledge and experience to prepare your paperwork, submit it, post your bail, and ensure you will get out of jail as quickly as possible and back to your family. The many steps to this outcome may seem very complicated to you if you have never been through the system before. The fact that you may be frightened and confused while going through the experience may mean you are thinking less clearly, and having someone who is very familiar with the procedure means you can concentrate on calming down and making the best of your situation until you can get out.

Being in jail is never an ideal situation, and having to go to your family or friends for the money, or to a bank for a loan, can be embarrassing and hard to do while incarcerated. A bail bond agency will come to the prison or detention center specifically to help you, and offer you the opportunity to use their services without having to figure out how to get to the bank or involve your family if you are not willing to do that. They are specifically equipped to make things go smoothly right from the prison, ensuring your privacy and your comfort.

It’s also beneficial to work with a local bail bond agency because you will be able to work out the financing easier. If you are dealing with one that is not near your area, it will be harder to meet with the agency’s representatives as opposed to one that is close to you. Problems and any questions can be dealt with quickly and easily.

As you can see, it’s important that you use a local bail bond agency rather than one that is not in your area. Some people think that it’s better go out of their area because the fees might be cheaper. But by going with a local agency, you can avoid any complications, get your questions answered, and find out how to move forward with getting out of jail the right way.

Many business managers think that employee expense claims represent a small percentage of their total spend and believe that there is only a small risk to their business. However on closer examination, many businesses find that over 10% of their total expenditure is processed through employee reimbursements and some employees are being reimbursed more than $10,000 per month.

For setting up a good plan, you can do the following steps:

1. No matter how much you suspect one, do not accuse without sufficient evidence. Do not even mention to anyone that a employee in your company has done something. Because then you may be sued for slander. Try to collect evidences first. If you are not getting what to do, consider going to an attorney who is specialized in employee cases.

2. Start a thorough investigation. If necessary,hire a forensic accountant. But remember, this investigation needs to be in such a manner that none your employees know about it. If that is not possible, tell the employees that you are looking for some specific data and would appreciate help where needed.

3. Remember, you can suspect an employee. You can even have strong belief that this is the one who is doing all the fraud stuffs.But suspicion and belief are not the facts. You need to have hard evidences. If you have witnesses, it will strengthen your doubt. But you will not credible witnesses. If possible, try to collect specific documents and video tape against the suspect.

4. During all the conversations, have a management witness present that you have with one of the employees.

5. If you have sufficient evidences against the suspected employee, but the investigation is not complete, do not fire that employee. Place that employee in leave, paid or unpaid. After the investigation is completed, make your fire or retain decision.

6. Do not detain the suspect. If the suspect refuses to cooperate or talk and take an attempt to leave, simply tell that if he or she does not give information, you will be forced to take a decision without he benefit of the employee’s input.

7. The most important thing is the documents. Prepare as many documents as possible. Write down anything you find, any odd behavior and movement of the suspect, etc. Remember, all these things can make the difference in the end.

Whilst it is a relatively straight forward process to detect employee expense fraud, organisations need to ensure that their policies and procedures comply with relevant statutory and common law requirements. We recommend that a Workplace Relations Specialist is consulted from the outset. We also recommend that organisations implement a process to ensure that fraudulent claims are recovered from the individuals concerned.

Are you curious about how to get your firearms license? Whether you want to manufacture, sell, import, or collect guns as a hobby, obtaining it is an important part of making sure your business runs smoothly.

Acquiring your firearms license isn’t as hard as you think. While the paperwork may seem intimidating, the results are well worth the effort. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to display your antique gun collection at shows and conventions? Imagine even being able to run your own gun business right out of your own home! With a federal firearms license, you can do this and more. Here are some tips to consider when filling out your application:

If this is the first time you are applying for a License to Carry Firearms (LTC) you will need to bring with you to the appointment:

• Your driver’s license.
• A receipt from the Burlington Town Hall Tax office showing you paid the $100.00 application fee in cash or check (made payable to The Town of Burlington)
• A Copy of your Ontario approved firearms-training course certificate.
• A completed application for an LTC.
• Include the Required Additional Materials With Your Application Along with providing an accurate federal firearms license application, you will need to include a photograph of yourself, plus a set of fingerprints. Don’t try to do this yourself from home. This is not a legitimate way to provide these items. Instead, you can have this done at your local police station.

• Include Your Mandatory Fee Your federal firearms license application comes with a required fee. However, depending on what kind of business you’re applying for, your fee may vary. You can learn more about the current fees for such occupations as gun manufacturers, pawnbrokers, gun collectors, and importers by looking online.
• Keep Your Business Information Archived Once your firearms license application is accepted, it will remain valid for three years. During that time, you are expected to keep a logbook of your business transactions. Depending on the types of guns you sell and the amount of money you make, you may need to pay additional taxes. Additionally, you will need to pay a fee to renew your license as well. Additionally, if you are a legalized gun collector, you may need to conduct an inspection and take inventory of your guns to ensure that they are being used only for display purposes.

The moment your application is accepted, you are free to expand your business however you like. You will also find yourself eligible to sell at gun shows as well as from your own home. Best of all, as a gun and ammunition seller, importer, or manufacturer, you are exempt from the additional fees many businessmen charge with their retail prices. Get your federal firearms license as soon as possible to take advantage of these amazing deals.

The criminal charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence(DUI) are often used interchangeably, but in some states, there is a distinct difference between the two. As the terms imply, one charge is driving under the influence, while the other is driving while intoxicated, with the second sometimes being more serious than the former.

In states that classify DWI and DUI separately, usually a DUI charge is the lesser of the two as it is indicative of a lesser degree of impairment as compared to DWI. DUI can also mean driving under the influence of drugs, which is also taken very seriously. During a stop, police officers are now able to request a Drug Recognition Expert to determine if a driver is impaired, and what drugs are involved.

Additionally, some states have other acronyms such as: operating under the influence (OUI), operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII), and driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). If you have been charged with any of these offenses, a criminal defense attorney will be able to help you navigate your own state’s laws.

DUI and DWI – What’s the Difference?

DUI or DWI charges are virtually the same in many states. Both describe criminal charges for the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. If you live in a locale that classifies them discreetly, the charge usually depends on the driver’s BAC level at the time of the arrest–DUI is the lesser change, DWI the more serious.

Specific charges for alcohol-impaired driving vary depending on individual state laws. The category of drunk driving charge depends on a number of factors, including the age of the driver, type of vehicle, degree of intoxication, and whether or not property was damaged or injuries or fatalities occurred during an accident. In some jurisdictions, drivers can be charged with DUI even if they do not meet the .08% BAC threshold; commercial drivers can be convicted of DUI with a BAC of .04%; and for drivers under 21, any amount of alcohol can be grounds for a DUI arrest. 

You can avoid the potential stress, expense, and embarrassment of a DUI or DWI conviction by simply choosing not to drive your car after consuming alcohol. You can also carry a convenient and accurate BACtrack breathalyzer with you when you do drink.

For example, in Texas, if you have alcohol in your system, and especially if you have a BAC of 0.08% or above, you are arrested for DWI. You would only get a DUI if you were under 21 with any amount of alcohol in your system. In New York State, if you have a BAC of 0.08% or above, you would be charged with a DWI, while you would be arrested for DUI if your BAC was below 0.08%. Some states don’t make the distinction at all. In Illinois, for example, there is no DWI—only DUI.

A Simple Rule: If You Can Ride It, You can be Arrested for DUI/DWI

Drunk driving laws also apply to vehicles and transportation modes other than automobiles. In some states, charges may be filed according to the specific type of vehicle used, and convictions often carry lighter sentences. 

Depending on the jurisdiction, you can be arrested for driving, operating, piloting, or controlling the operation of the following if you are legally impaired:

• Motorcycles 
• Aircraft 
• Boats and other watercraft 
• Construction and farm  equipment (e.g., tractors and combines)
• Bicycles 
• Horses and horse-drawn vehicles

Seeking Legal Advice

There are many discrepancies between states when it comes to DUI and DWI laws. If you are facing this type of charge, contact a DUI/DWI lawyer immediately. A lawyer in your area can help build your case and determine your best course of action. Your attorney may also be able to negotiate a lesser charge, and will represent your best interests in court.

When you get to the jail everyone in there will ask you one question, “What are you in for?” Do not talk to them about the facts of your case. The other inmates are charged with criminal offense. If you talk to them, they may inform the prosecutor and become a witness against you. That might earn them probation for informing against you. That is known as “substantial assistance.”

Let me tell you a story about Andrew who lost his case because of jail inmates who sought to perform substantial assistance just to benefit themselves. Andrew was arrested for premeditated murder. While in the county jail, two inmates tried to get him talking about his case after they saw the story on the local T.V and read articles in the newspaper. Unfortunately, Andrew discussed his case with them. Of course, the inmates contacted the State Attorney’s Office. Although Andrew did not confess to them, they added to what he had said dramatizing it to sound as if he had admitted guilt.

The criminal lawyer performs many task for their clients. During the initial meeting, they will discuss their options regarding the case and the possible outcomes. The attorney will provide legal counsel on every aspect of the case. They will withhold their own personal judgment regarding their client. This must be the case irrespective of whether the specific legal professional in fact thinks your accused is guilty or not guilty.

One of many primary tasks of this type of lawyer is to help counsel their clients in a legal case. In order to properly do this, an attorney ought to put aside his or her individual opinion about a circumstance. For example, in order for a criminal attorney to successfully represent their client they must remain impartial. Defense attorneys can work on simple cases such as traffic court cases. They can also represent clients in major criminal cases.

A criminal defense lawyer will frequently make appearances in the court. In addition to managing the case in the courtroom on behalf of their clients they also oversee the investigative portion of the case. They will also be present for any bail hearings as well as other motions. The individual’s defense normally advises them on whether they should consent to the actual plea bargain. They will also discuss with their clients any prospective legal outcome.

Unfortunately, not too many people can bail you out in case of CRA trouble, so getting an experienced lawyer on your team may turn out to be a very prudent decision. When you enlist the help of an attorney, he does the talking on your behalf in all the hearings also the CRA finds it preferable to deal with an attorney than with the tax payers because the lawyers are professional who can handle the situation effectively. They jump right into negotiations without any emotional outburst.

You don’t have to worry about divulging highly sensitive information to your tax attorney because you are protected by the lawyer-client confidentiality clause. Your tax lawyer will be able to provide you with the most feasible solution to your tax woes. When choosing a tax attorney ensure that you chose a person who has experience in handling cases similar to your and who has been in business for at least ten years.

Individuals convicted of committing a white collar crime can face punishments such as fines, restitution, forfeiture, or imprisonment. Additionally, individuals accused or convicted of a white collar crime may be subject to additional consequences such as loss of employment and loss of pension. Situations such as these can threaten the financial stability and future of both the accused and their family.

In many cases, individuals under investigation for these crimes are aware that they are under investigation. Suspected individuals may be the focus of internal investigations or private investigations. White collar crimes do not represent an immediate threat to society; therefore, white collar crimes are often investigated by federal authorities for a year or more before charges are filed against an individual suspected of committing these types of crimes. Individuals who believe they are under investigation for a white collar crime should contact an attorney for assistance.

Although there are many aspects of white collar crime, one major part of this is fraud. Fraud is purposely misleading another person for your own benefit. Someone can either act or speak in a misleading way, or can choose to withhold information that will lead people to believe them, resulting in legal harm to the beguiled person.

Fraud comes in a variety of forms. First, financial fraud involves convincing a person to give you money which you do plan to return. One example is a charity fraud. With this case, someone may pretend that they are from a certain charity that needs a donation to help pursue a cause for good. After the person gets some money from an unsuspecting soul, the person uses it for himself or herself rather than for a charity act. Other financial frauds include Nigerian 419 and investment fraud as well as Ponzi schemes.

Another form of this crime is identity theft, which may also result in financial woes. If someone chooses to break into a person’s personal information and assume their identity, they can commit crimes such as credit card fraud should they apply for and use a credit card in another person’s name. If the thief gets enough information, they can also open up bank accounts in the innocent person’s name.

Lastly, some people also choose to participate in medical fraud. This can involve pretending that you have ill health conditions in order to get medicines that you do not need, which you can later sell or take in order to become high. Additionally, some pharmacists take part in pharmaceutical fraud, where they steal pills from the pharmacy to sell or take themselves.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes are a category of offenses that generally arise when violence occurs during a sexual act, when there is a lack of consent by one party to the sexual act, or when someone engages in sex with an individual who is legally incapable of consent, such as a child. Sex crimes have serious repercussions for those found guilty because they often require not only jail time, but also official registration as a sex offender, which can have an impact on job, housing, and social opportunities for the remainder of one’s life.

Crimes Involving Violence and Lack of Consent

Many sex crimes arise from circumstances when a sexual act is committed in a manner that is offensive to the ordinary individual. The most obvious of these is sexual assault, which occurs when an unwanted sexual act is performed on a victim without his or her consent and often with the use of force. Sexual assault may involve threats, battery, or other violent behavior and can occur with any form of sexual contact, including groping, kissing, penetration, or any other sexual touching. If the victim is threatened or forced into committing an act of sexual intercourse, this is the crime of rape. Rape requires that the victim did not consent to the sexual act, and prosecutions of rape often turn on whether or not the perpetrator reasonably believed that the sex was consensual. In certain circumstances, however, consent cannot be given because the victim is too young to legally provide it. This is called statutory rape.

Crimes Involving Children

Since children have not yet reached the age of maturity and are legally unable to consent to a sexual act, any form of sexual touching with a child is considered to be a crime. Not only do we find such acts legally reprehensible, they are morally offensive as well. Prosecution and investigation of sex crimes involving children can be challenging, however, since childhood trauma or confusion can lead to false reporting and erroneous allegations. For this reason, these crimes must be investigated thoroughly and sensitively. Most commonly, adults may find themselves facing charges of child molestation, which involves a sexual act committed with a child, including inappropriate touching and sexual conduct. Charges may also be brought when the individual is in possession of pornography involving children, for this is always illegal.

Sex Crimes and the Public

Finally, another category of sex crimes that arises is those acts inappropriately committed in a public space. For instance, the crime of public indecency arises when people expose themselves or act in a sexual way that is not appropriate for a public setting. Additionally, the crime of sexual misconduct may apply to sexual acts that offend innocent bystanders or members of the public. Finally, our laws also prohibit the soliciting of sex in public or for money. This is called prostitution. The prohibition of prostitution is a source of significant controversy. While prostitution sometimes occurs in situations that are quite obvious, such as soliciting someone from a street corner, individuals may also find themselves unwittingly propositioned in a situation that they originally thought was an innocent first date, bar hook-up, or other non-criminal circumstance.

The Gun and Gang Task Force of Toronto Police Service has made numerous arrests on various types of charges. Usually, the accusations are quite serious and may disrupt the whole life of the accused and his whole family. It is important to seek legal advice and representation without any kind of delay. Guns & Gangs Lawyer Burlington is available to assist you professionally in every way possible.

With a skilled criminal attorney to represent you, you will have the highest chances of reaching the desired outcome. All of the professionals on our team have great experience in litigating gun and gang cases involving weapon possession, drug trafficking and importation, robbery and other types of charges. In the past, we have achieved superb results for our client and we are more than proud of our accomplishments. In order to keep up the good work and to improve it even further, we follow, study and analyze all relevant cases and keep up with the latest developments in this legal field. This gives us the ability to respond adequately to any request for assistance right away.

With us, you will receive full legal assistance and personal support at all times. Our whole team will be able to help you with any thing you need. When you want to ask a question or simply need confidence boost, you should feel free to talk to us. In general, you should expect to work closely with your lawyer for your preparation to appear in court. Our service involves representation at all stages of the legal process starting with the bail hearing. Your counselor will employ a full set of techniques to give you the highest chances of release on bail. You can use our services with confidence on appeal as well.

With a specially tailored strategy at hand and strong determination, your Guns & Gangs Lawyer Burlington will pursue the set goal throughout the trial. Expect masterful performance at all times. All legal tools for achieving the desired outcome will be employed. The risk of unexpected challenges will be reduced to the minimum thanks to the meticulous advance preparation. Still, if an obstacle comes up it will be overcome as quickly and effectively as possible. You can rely completely on the expertise, skills and relentless work of your lawyer.

Strong Skills and Expert Knowledge

When you need legal defence, you would want to hire a professional who is excellently prepared for the job. This is what you will receive with Burlington Criminal Lawyer. Each one of our lawyers has litigated a diverse set of cases over the years. This has helped our whole team to accumulate a huge amount of practical experience. When this is added to our expert knowledge, we become invincible. Our winning percentage is very high and this is the reason why our firm is a top choice for people accused of various offences such as firearm possession, fraud and drug trafficking. Another major factor for our success is our dedication to each case. Our lawyers fight the rights of clients with strong determination for success.

Effective Strategy

The work starts as soon as you get in touch with us. You will receive full legal advice in the first place. Our attorney will explain the charges that you face under the Criminal Code of Canada, present your options and answer all of your questions. This will help you to make the right decision regarding the defence of your case. If you hire us, we will start working immediately.

The first task of your lawyer will be to examine your case in great detail. Thorough expert investigation is the foundation for solid defence. At this point, the professional may find grounds for the dismissal of the charges pressed against you. In this case, you may not go to trial at all. That is why it is important to work with the right counselor.

With Burlington Criminal Lawyer, you will receive legal representation at your bail hearing and throughout the whole trial. If there is an appeal, your counselor will handle it as well. You will be in good hands all the time. Your lawyer will build a strong strategy for your defence in advance and apply it with the help of the best legal instruments available. Expect the professional to fight resolutely with great eagerness for victory.

The exact extent of the role that drugs and alcohol play in the commission of crimes in the United States is probably impossible to determine, but it is obviously significant according to data from a variety of government sources.

Although victims of crimes report that they believe the offender was under the influence of alcohol or drugs is less than half of the violent crimes, drug tests from those who are actually arrested for crimes show a much higher percentage drug usage.

Sometimes drugs and alcohol play a role in criminal activity even when the offender is not under the influence at the time the crime is committed. Many offenders commit crimes in order to get money to obtain drugs.²

When you add up the crimes committed because of the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug-related criminal offenses, and crimes in which illegal possession of the drug itself is the crime, the role of alcohol and drugs in crime is extensive.

VICTIMS’ PERCEPTION OF OFFENDERS’ DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) collects data from victims of violent crimes about whether the victims think that the offender was using drugs or alcohol during the crime. According to the perceptions of the victims, offenders were under the influence during the commission of these crimes:

• Crime of violence, 24.2 percent
• Rapes or sexual assaults, 30.0 percent
• Robbery, 23.3 percent
• Assault, 24.1 percent
• Aggravated assault, 26.2 percent
• Simple assault, 23.5 percent

Among American Indians, victims reported alcohol use by offenders 62 percent of the time, compared to 42 percent of the general population. In violent crimes against American Indians in which substance use was determined 48 percent were using alcohol, 9 percent using drugs, and 14 percent were using both.

ARRESTEE DRUG ABUSE MONITORING DATA

Information collected by the National Institute of Justice through its Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM II) program tells a different story of drug use among offenders.

The ADAM II program collected urine samples from male arrestees at 10 locations in five counties across the U.S.: Atlanta, GA (Fulton County); Chicago, IL (Cook County); Denver, CO (Denver County); New York, NY (Borough of Manhattan); and Sacramento, CA (Sacramento County).

Arrestees were tested for 10 drugs: marijuana, cocaine metabolites, opiates, amphetamine/methamphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, buprenorphine, methadone, PCP, and oxycodone.

The ADAM II data provided objective, biological measures of drug use along with the self-reported use among those arrested and charged with crimes and provided a method to monitor trends in drug use among offenders.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ADAM II RESULTS

Here are some of the highlights from the 2013 ADAM II data collection:⁴

• Those arrestees who tested positive for drugs ranged from 63 percent in Atlanta to 83 percent in Chicago and Sacramento
• Those with multiple drugs in their system ranged from 12 percent in Atlanta to 50 percent in Sacramento
• Marijuana was the most commonly used drug among arrestees, from 34 percent in Atlanta to 59 percent in Sacramento.
• The use of cocaine continued a significant decline in all locations.
• The self-reported use of crack cocaine increased only in New York but declined in other locations.
• The continued trend in increased use of opiates (heroin, morphine, synthetic opiates) was significant at all locations
• Denver and Sacramento both saw significant increases in the use of opiates and methamphetamine from 2000 to 2013.
• The availability of heroin was stable in all locations but New York where the difficulty in purchasing the drug (a failed buy) went from 77 percent in 2007 to only 35 percent in 2013.

COMMITTING CRIMES TO OBTAIN DRUGS

In response to a 2004 BJS survey, an estimated 17 percent of state prisoners and 18 percent of federal inmatesreported that they committed the crimes that they are currently incarcerated to obtain money to buy drugs.²

Those who do commit crimes to obtain money for drugs are more likely to commit property crimes and drug offenses (trafficking) than they are violent crimes and public order offenses.

Among jail inmates charged with property crimes, these percentages of arrestees reported being under the influence of drugs at the time of the crime:

• Robbery 56%
• Weapons violations 56%
• Burglary 55%
• Motor vehicle theft 55%

ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIMES

Officials estimate that 1.5 million drivers per year are arrested for driving under the influence in the United States.That translates to 1,250 arrests for every 100,000 drivers.

Drivers are legally alcohol-impaired when their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) are .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

A fatal crash involving a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher is considered to be an alcohol-impaired-driving crash, and fatalities occurring in those crashes are considered to be alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Within NHTSA reports, the term “alcohol-impaired” does not indicate that a crash or a fatality was caused by alcohol impairment, only that an alcohol-impaired driver was involved in the crash.

The 10,847 people who died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2017 included:⁷

• 7,368 drivers with a BAC .08 or more
• 1,492 passengers riding with a drunk driver
• 1,583 occupants of other vehicles
• 1,181 nonoccupants (pedestrians, etc.)