Charged With DUI Again - What You Should Expect

If you've been arrested for driving while impaired (DUI) more often than once, you cannot neglect the need for working with a competent and well-versed DUI lawyer. You're considered a repeat or multiple DUI offender if you are arrested for DUI and already experienced a DUI charge or when you have multiple convictions against your driving record. With each consecutive DUI conviction, the legal penalties which you face become harsher and stiffer. In other words, having a second or more DUI is an extremely serious offense. By committing the act of driving under the influence for the second or more time, you're demonstrating a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of others and yourself. To put it simply, once the court sees that you didn't learn your "lesson" the first time, it tends to be harsh and unyielding.

Penalties for second or more DUIs might include imprisonment, fines, and suspension of your license. There could also be a requirement that you attend an alcohol treatment program or a DUI school, and you may additionally be required to carry out community service. Additionally it is likely that you'll be put on probation and have to be accountable to your probation officer regularly. Further, the judge may order you to install a device on your vehicle that administers a breathalyzer to you before you can start your vehicle's engine. If you are instructed to install this device, the cost for this is going to be coming from your own personal pocket.

Because the penalties for DUI are greater with each subsequent DUI charge, it is vital that you use a competent and experienced DUI lawyer who can negotiate and litigate on your behalf to reduce the damages of the charge. If this driving under the influence charge is your second, third, or fourth offense, you will then be facing:

• If you have a second DUI within a time period of ten years, you can serve time in jail for a maximum of twelve months and a minimum of 90 days. There might be monetary fines of $390 to $1,000 together with the potential for a penalty assessment. Your right to drive a motor vehicle may be suspended for up to 2 yrs. You might be forced to attend a drug or alcohol treatment program for up to 2 1/2 years (30 months).

• Three DUI's within a time period of 10 years. You can be jailed for a minimum of 120 days up to a maximum of one year. The fine may be as high as $1,000, and also there might be penalty assessments. Your license may be suspended for as much as three years. You may be made to attend an alcohol or a drug treatment program for up to 30 months.

• Your fourth DUI within a time period of 10 years. You may serve time in jail for a minimum time of 180 days to a maximum of 16 months You may be assessed a monetary fine as high as $1,000. Your driving license can be suspended for the maximum of 4 years. You can be forced to attend a long alcohol and drug treatment program.

As you can tell, the escalating penalties for subsequent DUIs can be harsh. You must call your DUI attorney at the earliest opportunity following a DUI charge to ensure he can begin to prepare your defense.

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