Driving Under the Influence or DUI offenses have serious legal ramifications. If it is your first offense, you will be charged a fine, your license will be suspended, and you may face jail time.
The more DUIs you commit, the more severe the punishment. Each repetition will worsen the legal ramifications. It can have a long-lasting impact on your life.
This article will deal with the potential penalties for repeat DUI Offenses. If you are a repeat offender, youโll want to hire a DUI defense lawyer from Evan E Zelig immediately. You want to understand the nature of these penalties, and your attorney will help you do so.
Escalating penalties are put in place to deter individuals from committing the crime and in interest of public safety.
Repeat DUI offenses are seen as a serious disregard for the law. The individual may also be viewed as an active threat to the well-being of the public because DUIs are not only dangerous for drivers but also for pedestrians and other drivers on the road.
So, what are the potential penalties you can face if you have multiple DUI offenses?
Prison Time
First and foremost would be increased prison time. First-time offenders may or may not face jail time, but repeat offenders will face mandatory jail time. The sentence will be longer than those for first-time offenders.
For instance, if youโre a first-timer, your sentence might be a few days or weeks. The more DUI offenses you have, the longer this sentence will be.
It can go up to a few months, a year, or more. In some states, repeat offenses will be seen as a felony.
Fines
Fines for DUIs vary depending on the state. Repeat DUIs will result in thousands of dollars in fines. These fines only cover what you are ordered to pay by the court.
You will also have to pay for an attorney, court fees, and other legal fees. The fine will only keep increasing with every repeat offense.
Loss of License
As mentioned before, a first-time DUI will result in the suspension of your license. Repeat DUI offenses might get your driving license permanently revoked.
The best-case scenario in this situation would be a longer suspension of your license than a permanent revocation.
Some states may modify this sentence after a certain period of time has passed. But this will only happen on the agreement that an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is secured in your vehicle.
An IID requires the driver to provide a breath sample before they start driving. The blood alcohol content or BAC should be below the legal limit, or the car wonโt start.
Some states make IIDs mandatory for first-time offenders. The duration for the IID increases every time you repeat the offense.
Rehabilitation
Repeat DUI offenses will land you in a court-mandated rehabilitation program. These programs cover educational courses, therapy sessions, and participation in support groups.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings will be mandatory. If you fail to comply, your punishment will become more severe.
Final Thoughts
These are only some of the potential penalties you can face for repeat DUI offenses. You can also face felony charges and have your vehicle permanently confiscated. In some states, you get a habitual offender status for repeat DUIs.
