Montana § 61-8-1002 - Driving Under Influence
Full text of Montana Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-1002 — Driving Under Influence, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 61-8-1002. Driving Under Influence
Driving under influence. (1) A person commits the offense of driving under the influence if the person drives or is in actual physical control of: (a) a vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle upon the ways of this state open to the public while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or a combination of alcohol and any drug; (b) a noncommercial vehicle upon the ways of this state open to the public while the person's alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, breath, oral fluid, or other bodily substance, is 0.08 or more; (c) a commercial motor vehicle within this state while the person's alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, breath, oral fluid, or other bodily substance, is 0.04 or more; (d) a noncommercial vehicle or commercial motor vehicle within this state while the person's tetrahydrocannabinol level, excluding inactive metabolites, as shown by analysis of the person's blood or other bodily substance, is 5 ng/ml or more; (e) (i) a vehicle within this state when the person is under 21 years of age at the time of the offense while the person's alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, breath, oral fluid, or other bodily substance, is 0.02 or more; or (ii) a vehicle within this state when the person is under 21 years of age at the time of the offense and the person has any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, excluding inactive metabolites, in the person's body as shown by analysis of the person's blood or other bodily substance; or (f) a noncommercial vehicle or commercial motor vehicle on the ways of this state open to the public while, without a valid prescription, the person has an amount of any of the following prohibited substances in their body, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, that is equal to or greater than: Blood Nanograms Prohibited substance per milliliter (i) Amphetamine 20 (ii) Cocaine 20 (iii) Cocaine metabolite 20 (iv) Heroin 1 (v) Heroin metabolite: (A) Morphine 20 (B) 6-monoacetyl morphine 1 (vi) Lysergic acid diethylamide 0.1 (vii) Methamphetamine 20 (viii) Phencyclidine 5 (ix) Fentanyl 0.5 (2) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the concentration of alcohol in the person at the time of a test, as shown by analysis of a sample of the person's blood, breath, oral fluid, or other bodily substance drawn or taken within a reasonable time after the alleged act, gives rise to the following inferences: (a) if there was at that time an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or less, it may be inferred that the person was not under the influence of alcohol; (b) if there was at that time an alcohol concentration in excess of 0.04 but less than 0.08, that fact may not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but the fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person; and (c) if there was at that time an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol. The inference is rebuttable. (3) The provisions of subsection (2) do not limit the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing on the issue of whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. (4) Each municipality in this state is given authority to enact this section, with the word "state" changed to read "municipality", as an ordinance and is given jurisdiction of the enforcement of the ordinance and the imposition of the fines and penalties provided in the ordinance. (5) Absolute liability, as provided in 45-2-104 , is imposed for a violation of this section. (6) When the same acts may establish the commission of an offense under subsection (1), a person charged with the conduct may be prosecuted for a violation of another relevant subsection under subsection (1). However, the person may be convicted of only one offense under this section or of a similar offense under previous laws of this state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana § 61-8-1002
What does Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-1002 cover?
Section 61-8-1002 ("Driving Under Influence") is part of the Montana Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Montana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Montana § 61-8-1002?
A common citation format is "Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-1002" (Montana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Montana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Montana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Montana attorney.
How does Montana § 61-8-1002 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Montana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Montana.