When you are first arrested and charged with DUI, there are a lot of things to figure out. A DUI attorney can assess your situation and provide you with information about the penalties you may face with your first DUI offense.
In all states, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. If you are charged with your first DUI, you could face suspension of your license, probation, jail time, or alcohol counseling, depending on your state’s DUI law.
Just a slap on the wrist
If you are charged with your first DUI, you should not enter your case with the attitude that you will not face harsh penalties if convicted as a first-time offender.
Just take a look at these sample first offense DUI state laws as examples of the type of penalties that can be in store simply for 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 offense DUI includes a possible jail sentence of up to one year, fines between $600 and $1,200, and a 90-day license suspension.
California sentencing 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 will be required to serve a prison sentence of at least 96 hours, pay up to $390 in fines, and suspend your driver’s license for six months.
Early DUI penalties 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?
Under 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 above .1 percent, your fines may be higher and your license could be suspended for seven months to a year for your first DUI.