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Driving under the influence, or DUIs, can result in serious DUI punishments if you are convicted. Because driving impaired has the potential to cause harm to other drivers, or anyone near the road if you cause an accident while intoxicated, the potential fallout from a DUI accident can be extremely devastating.
• First conviction
Between $500 and $1,000, with the range increasing to $1,000 to $2,000 for situations where the driver’s blood/breath alcohol level was over .15 or there was a minor in the vehicle. Jail time can be no more than six months or nine months, depending on the BAL/minor considerations.
• Second conviction
Between $1,000 and $2,000, increasing to $2,000 and $4,000 for BAL over .15 and minors being present. Imprisonment ranges from nine months to one year. If the second conviction was within five years of a prior conviction, mandatory imprisonment of at least 10 days. At least 48 hours of confinement must be consecutive.
• Third conviction (within 10 years from the second offense)
Some variations here are based on the time frame between convictions, but a third conviction in 10 years can result in fines between $2,000 and $5,000 and would start at $4,000 for BAL/minors present violations. Jail time can be at least 30 days or 12 months.
• Third conviction (more than 10 years from the second offense)
$2,000 to $5,000, increasing to a minimum of $4,000 for Bal/minor violations.
• Fourth and/or subsequent convictions
The fines will have to be a minimum of $2,000 for basic violations and a minimum of $4,000 for BAL/minors violations. The state does not currently specify the maximum fine amount. Jail time can be maxed out at five years.
Unless the family of the defendant has no other transportation:
• First conviction = 10 days;
• Second conviction within five years of a prior conviction= 30 days;
• Third conviction within 10 years of a prior conviction = 90 days.
Aside from the possibilities of heavy fines, jail time, and vehicle impoundment, DUI punishments include consequences that can be life affecting.
You can be personally sued in a civil action. A personal injury attorney could sue you or sue your insurance company for damages to the victim such as medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation expenses, loss of wages, and if someone died, wrongful death.
All DUI charges can result in the loss of driving privileges, such as the loss of your driver’s license or the use of a restricted license. This can dramatically affect your life. Imagine being unable to reliably get to work. You may lose your job and livelihood. Now you are facing difficulties paying bills. Also simple chores like transporting family members or going grocery shopping become difficult and inconvenient.
If you retain your driving privileges, you may be required to submit to regular breathalyzer tests before being allowed to use your vehicle. This may require an ignition interlock device, which operates like a portable breathalyzer kit you keep in your vehicle and use every time you want to drive.
Also, a DUI conviction will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life. This can negatively impact job searches, loan applications, housing options, and social opportunities; it’s possible you could experience social isolation due to the conviction.
Because DUI convictions carry such severe penalties, if you have been charged, it’s important to obtain a good DUI criminal defense attorney. At Farkas & Crowley, both Adam R. Farkas and Jacqueline D. Crowley have extensive experience in criminal law and will defend you rigorously. To find out more, contact our office today.
Looking for a criminal law firm? Farkas & Crowley, P.A. are the attorneys for you. They are extremely knowledgeable of the law and go the extra mile for their clients. Their expertise and impeccable work ethic are hard to beat. Available 24/7. Highly recommended.
-Marla Newman
500 S. Australian Ave.
6th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) - 444 - 9529
Mon - Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
