A DUI conviction can have serious and lasting repercussions on your life. Being convicted of driving while unlicensed can make those consequences even more severe.
A Washington DC DUI Attorney from our firm could help you fight the charges or get them reduced to less severe penalties. For example, we may be able to convince the court that you were driving legally when you were arrested.
What is a DUI?
When charged with a DUI, you’re facing serious legal ramifications. Depending on your state’s laws, you could lose your license for a period of time and pay fines and court fees. You may also be required to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
The DUI definition varies by state, but it generally refers to driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. These substances don’t necessarily have to be illicit; prescription and over-the-counter medications can also be used to impair drivers.
DUI charges can be classified as misdemeanor or felony offenses, and you may also face other consequences such as a jail term or mandatory use of an ignition interlock device. Regardless of the classification, a DUI conviction can have severe implications for your car insurance rates. For example, a DUI can increase your rate by up to 61.9%, according to The Zebra’s 2022 car insurance rates report. This is a significant hike in your premiums that can take years to recover from.
What are the penalties for a DUI?
In most states, a DUI conviction is a serious offense with severe penalties. These include fines, license and registration suspensions and jail time, depending on state law and whether this is your first offense and whether there are aggravating factors like having children in the car or being over the legal blood alcohol concentration limit.
Some states have mandatory minimum jail sentences for a first offense DUI. These can last several days. Jail time can also be replaced by community service and participation in an alcohol abuse treatment program. Those who are convicted of DUI may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in all vehicles they operate.
A DUI can have significant consequences on a person’s life, including having to pay for expensive legal fees, having their job or other professional opportunities terminated, losing financial aid and scholarships for college students, and being excluded from certain activities such as professional sports teams. There are also serious consequences to a person’s reputation, especially if there is an accident with injury or death involved.
What are the penalties for a DUI with a suspended license?
Getting caught with a DUI while your license is suspended is a very serious offense and can lead to harsh penalties. You can be charged with both a DUI and driving without a license, and you could face additional fines and jail time. In addition, if you have a repeat DUI offense, the judge may require an ignition interlock device for your car, mandatory counseling, or even incarceration.
Many people erroneously believe that once their DUI sentence is complete or they finish the ARD program, it will be OK to drive again. However, a license must be restored through a process with PennDOT before you can legally drive again.
Having your license suspended can cause major problems in your life, especially if you have children or other dependents. You need to be able to get your kids to school, work, and other places. Mass transit is not always available, and you can only rely on friends and family so much.
What are the penalties for a DUI with a felony conviction?
In some states, a DUI can turn into a felony charge if the situation is particularly serious. This can include cases where a driver causes severe property damage or injuries to other people while driving drunk, especially if the incident involves death.
If you get a felony DUI conviction, the penalties will be more severe than if you got a regular DUI conviction with a valid license. The penalties may include higher fines, longer jail sentences and a period of time when you can’t drive at all. You might also have to install an ignition interlock device in your car and have special auto insurance that costs much more than standard policies.
In some states, a DUI can be considered a felony if you have children in the car with you while driving drunk. This is usually a separate offense from other aggravating factors that may make your case a felony, including the amount of alcohol in your system and prior convictions.
