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First DUI Penalties – Jail, Fines, DUI Class, Suspended License

Home DUI Penalties First DUI Penalties – Jail, Fines, DUI Class, Suspended License

First DUI Penalties Explained

If this is your first DUI arrest ever, do not think that it is no big deal or that the judge will be lenient on you because this is your “first one”. You have to be ready for the worst punishment – but be prepared to fight for the best outcome including a DUI reduced to reckless driving or a complete case dismissal. . Retain an experienced DUI attorney and get to work on your first time DUI defense now! The more time both you and your DUI lawyer have to work on your case, the better. Plus, some states will suspend your driver’s license within 30 days of your arrest, and this will happen even if you haven’t been to your first court appearance yet.

Some states specifically provide a statutory method under their state laws to request a judge to clear your record of a first DWI offense. However, this can only be done after a specified period of time, and is available only if you commit no other criminal offenses. In other states, your record of a first offense DUI-DWI conviction can never be expunged.

Minimum and Maximum First DUI Penalties and DWI Sentencing

The sentence for a first time DUI-DWI conviction or guilty plea must stay within your state’s mandated minimum and maximum guidelines. These maximums and minimums are established by each state’s statutes, and are based on this being your first DUI offense. Most states allow a judge to have some latitude in handing out sentences.

Remember to be extremely careful during this trying time in your life. Do not drink and drive and tempt fate again – the last thing you need is a second DUI as you fight your first DUI!

The sentencing requirements you will receive for your first DUI-DWI conviction usually include:

• Jail time
• DUI-DWI school
• Court fines
• Community service

Depending on your state’s DUI first offender laws, there is typically a minimum amount of time you must spend incarcerated if convicted of a first DUI-DWI offense. How much additional time you have to serve (beyond what was served immediately after being arrested) depends on the judge’s discretion. Most jurisdictions give credit for time spent in jail on the night of your arrest.

DUI First Offense Programs To Help You Stay Sober

Your state may have a DUI first offender program in place. In this program you are usually required to complete alcohol and drug assessments and treatment. Getting help for a possible addiction problem can include:

  • Checking into an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility, aka “rehab”
  • Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and providing proof of attendance (getting your “sheet signed”)
  • Living in transitional residential housing, aka a “halfway house” or “sober residence”

Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs is a serious illness that can destroy your life quicker than you can imagine. We want you to get the help you need, and we can point you to the addiction recovery resources in our area. Call a caring DUI lawyer at 1-888-839-4384 anytime day or night so we can work on this together.