If you are charged with the crime of driving under the influence, you may be facing a wide variety of DUI penalties. Driving while intoxicated is illegal in all 50 states, and each state has created their own penalties for dealing with this offense. In some communities, the police and the local court systems have specifically targeted drunk driving and have created additional punishments to try and discourage the practice. As a result, depending on where you live you may face different DUI penalties.
In most states, jail time is a possibility after a DUI. This may depend on your age, the number of DUIs on your record, the frequency of your DUIs, your desire to admit that you committed a DUI or more. Also, some courts will determine whether or not you should spend time in jail based on your BAC level. While it is illegal for individuals to drive with a BAC over 0.08%, some states reserve jail penalties for those that have a DUI that is double the legal limit. Some states will require minimum jail sentences for a first-time DUI offender and subsequent offenses can result in up to one year in jail as a result.
When a DUI has been classified as a felony, then this often results in a jail sentence of several years. This will depend on the state law, the facts of the case, and the discretion of the judge at trial. Many courts also impose fines on individuals that commit a DUI. These can range from $100 to thousands of dollars spending on the nature of the case and the state where the trial is taking place.
Another common punishment for a DUI involves the revocation of an individual's driver's license. Most of the time, the police will require the driver to have his or her license suspended for a substantial period of time. Sometimes the court deals with this issue, but in some circumstances this will involve a separate trial with the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Many states suspend a first offender's license for 90 days and a second offender's license for one year. A third offender's license may be suspended for up to three years. Also, many states will punish a suspect with license revocation if he or she refuses to take a blood or breath test on suspicion of a DUI.
Some states have also installed programs for alcohol and substance abuse and use these as a mandatory attendance penalty when a person is sentenced with a DUI. Also, some courts will require victim restitution if another individual was harmed as a result of the DUI, and may require a person to serve community service as a part of his or her sentence.
The judge may also switch jail penalties or fines for these other punishments. Some states also require an offender to install an ignition interlock device in his or her car in order to monitor DUI use, or will require the guilty party to war a SCRAM bracelet which monitors alcoholic content.
Sometimes the courts will impound a vehicle or will restrict use of a vehicle until after a certain amount of time. Another indirect penalty from a DUI arrest is a higher insurance premium due to the DUI on the driver's record. Individuals also may have a mark on their driving record which could make it difficult to get a job in the future. If you want to learn more about DUI penalties or want to work to avoid these penalties, you need to hire a reliable DUI attorney near you. Use this directory to locate a DUI lawyer near you today!