|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Driving While Intoxicated is one of the most common charges the average person might face. A person charged with a second DWI faces penalties including jail for up to a year and a $4000 fine. A first offense DWI conviction carries a $1000 a year surcharge on your license for 3 years, plus a SR-22 requirement, license reinstatement fees, DWI school fees, and potentially much more. You can lose your license for failing the breath test or refusing to take the breath test. These are called Administrative Licence Revocations. They are not considered criminal, so you have no right to a jury and double jeopardy does not apply if the criminal court also revokes your license. You are also subject to License Revocation by the criminal court. In many cases it is possible to prevent this. If your license is suspended however, there is a process by which you may be able to obtain an Occupational Driver's License. First offense: Up to a $2,000 fine, possibly 72 hours to 180 days in jail Driver license suspension: 90 days to one year Second offense: Up to a $4,000 fine, maximum one year in jail Driver license suspension: up to two years Third offense: Up to a $10,000 fine, 2 -10 years in prison, license supension Defendant is Under 21 Years of Age The threshold for an alcohol-related driving conviction is lower for drivers under 21. If you're not of legal drinking age, then it's against the law to operate a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system. |
