3 Common Punishments For DUI Convictions
Being convicted of a DUI is a big deal, especially if it is not your first time. There are numerous types of convictions which can befall you if you wind up being convicted. Read on and discover what sort of punishments tend to be commonplace for those convicted of driving under the influence. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is highly recommended that you hire the services of a local and trusted DUI specialist attorney to represent you in a court of law.
Punishments For Minors
For many minors, being punished means some degree of leniency is involved. However, for a DUI, the consequences are oftentimes worse than if the offender was an adult. Not only will you be served the sentence for a DUI, you will also be charged with drinking underage. The standard BAC that you can drive with is under .08%. If you are a minor, you can be charged with an underage DUI if you are driving with a BAC that is lower than this percentage in some states. In many cases, underage individuals found guilty of a DUI charge will have their license suspended for upwards of a year.
License Suspension
If you are convicted of a DUI, it is likely that your license will be revoked for some time. Although this time span varies from state to state, in most cases, the suspension time lasts for 90 days for a first time offender, one year for a second time offender, and three years for a third time offender. If you refuse to give into a BAC test, be it a breath, blood, or urine test, then this will result in an automatic license suspension regardless of whether you are found guilty or not. There are even some cases where a state will confiscate your vehicle or cancel the registration or make other provisions to keep you off the road, such as installing an ignition interlock device that requires you to blow into a BAC monitor before you can drive.
Alternative Punishments
A court sentence may include a prevention program, victim restitution, and community service, among other possible "alternative" sentences. There may be occasions where a judge will offer these alternatives to you in lieu of some of the more stricter punishments, especially if you are a first time offender. However, a stricter judge may combine alternative punishments with more standard punishments, like jail time or fines.
