When you are arrested and charged with DUI for the first time, there are many things to figure out. A DUI attorney can assess your situation and provide you with information on the penalties you could face with your first DUI offense.
In all states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or more. If you are charged with your first DUI, you could face license suspension, probation, jail time, or alcohol counseling depending on the DUI law in your state.
Just a slap on the wrist
If you are charged with your first DUI, you should not come into your case with the attitude that you will not face harsh penalties if convicted because you are a first time offender.
Just take a look at these sample state first DUI offense laws as examples of the kinds of penalties that may be reserved simply by being charged with a first DUI.
In some states, your first DUI means an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. For example, in Alabama, a first DUI offense includes a possible jail sentence of up to one year, fines of between $ 600 and $ 1,200, and a 90-day license suspension.
California’s sentence for a first DUI also includes the same three penalties, but if you are convicted of a first DUI [http://www.totaldui.com] offense, you must serve a jail sentence of at least 96 hours, pay up to $ 390 in fines, and suspend your driver’s license for six months.
The first penalties for DUI may depend on your blood alcohol content
Did you know that in New Jersey, your BAC determines the extent of your penalties for your first DUI?
According to New Jersey DUI law, if you have a BAC between .08 and .1 percent, you can serve a 30-day jail sentence, pay a fine of up to $ 400, and have your driver’s license suspended for three months. ; however, if your BAC is greater than .1 percent, your fines may be higher and your license could be suspended for seven months to one year for your first DUI.