DUI Penalties

It doesn’t matter where you live—all states are cracking down on DUI offenders. The penalties have gotten worse, which is why it’s imperative that you contact a DUI defense attorney that is experienced in this complex area of law.

If you were recently arrested for DUI, some of the penalties you may be facing include expensive fines, driver’s license suspension, loss of insurance or skyrocketing rates, community service, probation, ignition interlock device, mandatory drug and alcohol classes and jail time. Some states may even seize your vehicle if you are a multiple offender.

Outside of court, you could also face problems with future employment. For instance if you make your living as a truck driver and you lose your license, your employer is not going to want you driving for them. The same is true for school bus drivers. Even if your job doesn’t rely solely on driving, your employer may still terminate employment if they are notified of a DUI conviction.

The penalties for DUI become even stricter with each new offense on your record. If you are under 21 and have even trace amounts of alcohol on your breath, you will be arrested for DUI and will face the same penalties as those 21 and over.

In addition to having multiple convictions, there are other enhanced penalties if you have aggravated charges. You could face enhanced penalties for having a minor in your vehicle, property damage, personal injuries, or the death of a person. Other aggravated charges may be that you had an excessively high blood alcohol content of .15% or more or that you were driving well over the speed limit.

Whether you have previous DUI convictions or this is your first arrest, don’t let a DUI ruin your life. To ensure that your rights are protected, you must immediately contact an experienced DUI defense attorney. Your attorney can almost always find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case—remember that they have the burden of proof. If they fail to prove to a judge or jury beyond a reasonable doubt that you were DUI, you’ll win your case!