Arrested for multiple DUI offenses?

State lawmakers have increased the penalties for those who are repeat offenders. If you are an individual who has been arrested and convicted within the past ten years for a DUI (driving under the influence) charge and you are facing a second, third, fourth, etc., DUI offense, legal counsel needs to be in your immediate future. There must be action taken to defend the DUI charges pending against you. If convicted of another DUI, extensive jail time and expensive fines. However, if this is your fourth DUI offense, your charge can be elevated to a felony offense. The penalties for this include a possible jail sentence for up to five years and losing your license for up to ten years.

If convicted of multiple DUI offenses there are different penalties that surround your first, second, and third DUI offenses. The POSSIBLE penalties are listed as followed:

  • First DUI Offense:
    • o First time DUI offender who is of or over the legal drinking age (21):
  • DUI School, a fine no more than $1000, a license suspension of 120 days, 40 hours community service, limited permit can be permissible.
    • First time DUI offender who is under the legal drinking age (-21):
    • If the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of the underage offender is .02 or greater, he or she will be charged with a DUI. If the BAC is .08 or lower, his or her license will be suspended for a six (6) month period of time, a fine imposed, and DUI School will be required. If his or her BAC is greater than .08, then his or her license will be suspended for a twelve (12) month period of time instead of a six (6) month period of time.
    • 48 hours to serve, (12) months of probation, a minimum fine of $100.00 and a maximum fine of $1,000.00, a completion of DUI School, forty (40) hours of community service, victim impact panel, and drug and alcohol evaluation.
  • Second DUI Offense:
    • A minimum of a six hundred ($600.00) dollar fine, but no more than a maximum of a one thousand ($1,000.00) dollar fine.
    • The possibility of ninety (90) days imprisonment
    • Thirty (10) days of community service.
    • A successful completion of a court-approved DUI school program and possible alcohol and drug awareness and prevention classes.
    • Twelve (12) months probation
    • License suspension hard 120 days, then possibility of limited permit
    • Forfeit Tags, Picture in Paper, Ignition interlock
  • Third DUI Offense:
    • Minimum of 120 days in jail.
    • Minimum of $1,000.00 fine, maximum $5,000.00 fine.
    • Up to five years of license suspension.
    • DUI School, substance abuse evaluation, 10 Days community service
    • Forfeit Tags, Picture in Paper, Ignition interlock
    • SCRAM

After your license has been gone for after one year, then you may qualify for a restricted license, which will return some driving privileges. The license is limited to school, work, or health purposes. If you do receive a restricted license, it is mandatory that there be an ignition interlock device installed in any car that you will be driving. An ignition interlock device is an expensive machine that requires you to take a breath test prior to starting the vehicle and operating it.

Dealing with multiple DUI offenses, arrests, charges, and convictions is a very serious matter that needs to be handled by the best legal representation possible for the job. For your rights to be protected, there needs to be immediate legal action taken and legal counsel needs to be obtained. Sam Sliger with McDonald & Cody is the criminal defense attorney with the firm. Sam will thoroughly investigate all the details surrounding your case to determine the best way to move forward with the proceedings.