Driving Under The Influence (DUI)
Being charged with a DUI can become very problematic. There are serious long term consequences if you are convicted of a DUI. There are immediate penalties that have an impact on your personal life that are far-reaching. The loss of your driving privilege, which can affect your employment, is just one of them. The monetary costs of a DUI can also immediately impact your finances. The costs involved to secure a hardship license while your case is pending can become a hardship on your monthly budget. In addition to these early consequences a conviction will also have long term consequences for you. The loss of your driver’s license for at least six (6) months, if a first time conviction, a substantial fine, and probation and its requirements, are things that you will have to endure.
It is important that you hire the right DUI attorney that will help you avoid a conviction. Attorney Alison Lopes will help you to explore your defenses, explain your options, and work towards helping you avoid, reduce or minimize the DUI penalties that you face.
1st DUI Offense
If convicted of a 1st time DUI offense a Judge can impose a sentence of the following penalties:
- up to six (6) months in jail
- a six (6) month suspension of your driver’s license
- 1 year of probation
- a fine of up to $1,000
- a 10-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 1 class (12 hour DUI substance abuse course)
- an evaluation and completing any recommended treatment
2nd DUI Offense
If convicted of a 2nd DUI offense the following penalties apply:
- up to nine (9) months in jail
- a minimum of six (6) months with up to a maximum of nine (9) months driver’s license suspension
- 1 year of probation
- a fine of up to $2,000
- 10-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 2 class (a 21 hour DUI substance abuse course)
- mandatory ignition interlock for one (1) year
- an evaluation and completing any recommended treatment.
2nd DUI Offense within 5 years of 1st offense
If convicted of a second DUI offense that occurs within five (5) years from the date of when you were convicted for the first offense, the following penalties will apply:
- minimum of 10 days with up to a
- maximum of nine (9) months in jail
- five (5) year driver license suspension
- 1 year of probation
- a fine of up to $2,000
- 30-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 2 class (a 21 hours DUI substance abuse course)
- mandatory one (1) year ignition interlock
- an evaluation and completing any
- recommended treatment today.
3rd DUI Offense
If convicted of a 3rd DUI offense the following penalties apply:
- up to one (1) year in jail
- driver license suspension of a minimum of six (6) months up to a
- maximum of one (1) year
- one (1) year of probation
- a minimum fine of $2,000 with up to
- a maximum of $5,000
- 10-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 2 class (a 21 hours DUI substance abuse course)
- a mandatory ignition interlock device
- on your car for two (2) years
- an evaluation and completing any recommended treatment
3rd DUI Offense within 10 years of a prior conviction
If convicted of a 3rd DUI offense that is within 10 years of a prior DUI conviction you will be charged with a Third Degree Felony. A Judge could sentence you to the following:
- a minimum of 30 days in jail or to prison for up to a maximum of five (5) years
- driver’s license suspension for ten (10) years
- probation for up to five (5) years
- a fine of up to $5,000
- 90-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 2 class (a 21 hour DUI substance abuse course)
- mandatory ignition interlock for two (2) years
- an evaluation and completing any recommended treatment
4th DUI Offense
A conviction for a 4th DUI Offense is a Third Degree Felony, and a judge can impose the following sentences:
- up to five (5) years in prison
- up to five (5) years of probation
- permanent driver’s license suspension
- a minimum fine of $2,000 with up to
- a maximum of $5,000
- 90-day vehicle impoundment
- community service hours
- DUI Level 2 class (a 21 hour DUI substance abuse course)
- mandatory ignition interlock device on any vehicle owned by you
- an evaluation and completing any recommended treatment
Criminal Defense
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