DUI FINES AND PENALTIES
State By State: Here's What You Need To Know
DUI fines and penalties for a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction are wide-ranging. Most people are aware that
your driver's license can be suspended if you are caught drinking and driving, but that is often not enough to deter them
from drinking and driving. Many drivers are not aware a DUI can really result in jail time.
DUI FINES Can Be Very Expensive Fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and that is in
addition to all of the other monetary costs you pay such as impoundment fees, sky-high insurance rates, court costs,
attorney's fees, installation of an ignition interlock device, and the list is extensive.
Probation As a condition of your conviction, you may be required to meet with a probation officer weekly.
Suspension Of Your Driver's License
Your driver's license can be suspended for up to a year. Under certain
conditions it could be revoked, which means a permanent loss. If you refuse to cooperate with standardized field sobriety
tests or chemical tests such as breath, blood, or urine tests when requested by law enforcement, your driver's license is
usually suspended. In many states, suspension of the driver's license by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for the
first DUI offense is one year; for the second offense, three years; for the third offense, five years.
Minimum Mandatory Penalties These penalties can be imposed on drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration above
the county or state's maximum allowable level (usually .08 percent) or drivers that refuse to submit to breath, blood, or
urine testing for blood-alcohol content.
Community Service Performing community service is often a condition of your sentence. The hours assigned vary at
the courts' discretion.
Job Loss Or Limited Opportunities Drivers with a DUI on their record may find certain jobs closed to them, such
as driving a vehicle for a city, county, state, or federal job; professional driving jobs such as delivery vans or
driving any vehicle as part of their employment. You could face losing your job if it requires a clean driving record.
Loss Of Vehicle Permanent loss of your vehicle is a possibility, particularly if drugs were involved. Alcohol
education, Evaluation, and/or Driving School Classes may be a mandatory part of your sentence, depending on where you
were arrested.
Civil Liability You may face separate prosecution under civil law for property damages or bodily injuries on
another person.
Ignition Interlock Installation This device is attached to the convicted driver's vehicle and requires a clean
breath test before the vehicle will start. Underage drivers can face even harsher penalties if they have even a trace of
alcohol in their systems. If minors reach the state limit of .08 percent BAC, they may be tried as adults. Those drivers
with an unusually high BAC (often .15 percent or higher) may face additional fines and jail time on top of the typical
sentencing. Other factors that increase the level of punishment include having a minor in the car at the time of
arrest, having an accident with injuries or deaths resulting from the accident, or an accident causing property damage.
The DUI fines and penalties are very high in most states so educate yourself and arm yourself with the best defense you
can afford.
Having a lawyer to plead your case is essential. Get the best DUI lawyer you can; one
who knows YOUR State DUI Laws
and the DUI consequences for the best outcome and to stay out of jail.
Locate Sobriety Check Points and Speed Traps BEFORE You Get To Them!
Go to the website of your particular state to verify the drunk driving laws, penalties and fines. Changes occur in state DUI
laws and this site is meant to provide general information only. Our disclaimer.
Resources For Driving Charges
Additional Resources To Preserve Your License
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