GREENVILLE FIRST-TIME DUI LAWYER

Criminal Penalties For A First-Time DUI

Even if you’ve never had a DUI before, you could still incur a heavy punishment. The length of your license suspension, jail or community service sentence, and fines all depend on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at the time of the arrest and your prior record.

• BAC of 0.08% to 0.10%: Potential mandatory jail sentence of two to 30 days
• BAC above 0.10% and less than 0.16%: Potential mandatory jail sentence of three to 30 days
• BAC above 0.16%: Potential mandatory jail sentence of 30 to 90 days.

We say “potential mandatory” because a judge may prefer to sentence first-time DUI offenders to community service and/or an alcohol/substance abuse assessment and treatment program in lieu of jail time. All first-time DUIs are subject to fines between $400 and $1,000, whether you serve time in jail or not.

Administrative Penalties For A First-Time DUI

In addition to potential criminal penalties, a DUI will also land you in trouble with the DMV. A first-time DUI is punishable by up to a six-month license suspension, at the end of which you must pay a license reinstatement fee. If you refuse to take a chemical test at the scene, your license will automatically be suspended for six months, even if your DUI charge is later dismissed, unless a successful criminal defense attorney can persuade the authorities in an administrative hearing.

Get The Help You Need

Most of us depend greatly on our ability to drive ourselves and our families around to various jobs, school, medical appointments, the grocery store, etc. Downplaying the impact of a DUI charge will not serve you well and will only make the situation worse. If you have been arrested on suspicion of DUI, call us immediately.