Motor vehicles offer both convenience and comfort while moving from one to another with ease and saving time. But a person who owns a car should know and abide by the traffic rules to not only safeguard his/her life but other car drivers and pedestrians on the road. In every state, it is a crime and misdemeanor of a person by driving the vehicle while being intoxicated. The intoxication may be caused by intake of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medicines. The offense categorized differently in each state such as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or any other term.
If a person is guilty of DUI then depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is his/her first offense the person may receive some penalty which could be a monetary fine, license suspension, community service, deduction of points and even prison for few months. A person could plead innocence from DUI in court, but it is better to hire a professional lawyer who can not only lessen the fine but can even get the charges dismissed.
The concerns of being convicted of DUI include court appearances, hefty fines, and attorney fees. There is also the chance of going to DUI School, getting assessed for a continued drinking problem, getting treatment if you have some drinking problem, and having an interlock device installed on your vehicle.
In nearly every state, you can get booked under DUI for driving while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The consequences of a DUI are less if it is your first offense, but the penalties and punishment are considerably more for second DUI offense. The degree of a second DUI depends on the particular law of the state in which you are booked. In some of the states, the second DUI is counted as a second offense only if it has occurred within a specified period since the first DUI. The period is often termed as “look-back” period. In some states, the look-back period is ten years within the first DUI.
The penalties that can be resulted due to second DUI are possible jail time to a minimum 96 hours in local jail, and the monetary fine will be significantly higher than the first DUI. Other penalties include
- License suspension:
A second DUI within the ten years of first DUI would lead to license suspension or revocation to one year. A person may be eligible to get a restricted license after three months, but till then the person would not be permitted to drive a vehicle
- DUI Classes:
It is mandatory for a person caught in the second DUI to attend DUI program which spans from 18 to 30 months. A person would only be permitted to drive upon completing the program
- Ignition Interlock Device:
In many states it is on the discretion of the judge to ask a person to install an ignition interlocking device (IID) after even first DUI, but after second offense (DUI) the judge may force you to install the interlocking mechanism on any car that the person may drive after his/her suspension periods completes.
- AA Meetings:
Apart from attending a DUI program, the judge may also make it mandatory for the person to regularly visit the alcoholics anonymous and other meetings where the seriousness of drinking problem may be discussed.