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What is the penalty for a first offense DUI conviction?
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Each state follows different DUI or DWI laws. This means penalties vary by state depending on the severity of the situation (driver's age, blood alcohol content [BAC], any passengers under a certain age). More often than not penalties will result in substantial fines, a suspended license and possible jail time. Some states may even impose mandatory community service and enrollment in a costly alcohol rehab program. For specifics on your state, see grid below.
To help you negotiate through this legal tangle, you should consider hiring a DUI attorney. A reduced sentence could trim fines, spare you jail time and restore driving privileges.
To help you negotiate through this legal tangle, you should consider hiring a DUI attorney. A reduced sentence could trim fines, spare you jail time and restore driving privileges.
| Fines | Suspended/Revoked | Jail | Rehab | Community Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | x | x | x | x | ||
| Alaska | x | x | x | x | ||
| Arizona | x | x | x | x | ||
| Arkansas | x | x | ||||
| California | x | x | x | x | ||
| Colorado | x | x | x | x | Points but no suspension for DWAI. | |
| Connecticut | x | x | x | x | ||
| Delaware | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Florida | x | x | x | x | Stiffer fines if accompanied by any passenger under 18. | |
| Georgia | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Hawaii | x | x | x | x | ||
| Idaho | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Illinois | x | x | x | Stiffer fines if accompanied by any passenger under 16 and/or with a BAC of .16% or higher. | ||
| Indiana | x | x | x | |||
| Iowa | x | x | x | |||
| Kansas | x | x | x | x | Possible community service in lieu of jail | |
| Kentucky | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Louisiana | x | x | x | |||
| Maine | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Maryland | x | x | x | Stiffer fines if accompanied by any passenger under 18. | ||
| Massachusetts | x | x | x | Reduced penalties if you complete a state-approved alcohol education program. | ||
| Michigan | x | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | |
| Minnesota | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Mississippi | x | x | x | |||
| Missouri | x | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | |
| Montana | x | x | x | Reduced penalties if you complete a court-ordered chemical dependency program. | ||
| Nebraska | x | x | x | |||
| Nevada | x | x | x | x | x | Possible community service in lieu of jail. |
| New Hampshire | x | x | x | |||
| New Jersey | x | x | x | x | Stiffer penalties for a BAC of .10% or higher. | |
| New Mexico | x | x | x | x | ||
| New York | x | x | x | |||
| North Carolina | x | x | x | x | ||
| North Dakota | x | x | x | Stiffer penalties for a BAC of .18% or higher. | ||
| Ohio | x | x | x | |||
| Oklahoma | x | x | x | Stiffer penalties for a BAC of .08% or higher. | ||
| Oregon | x | x | x | Stiffer fines if accompanied by any passenger under 18. | ||
| Pennsylvania | x | x | x | |||
| Rhode Island | x | x | x | x | x | Stiffer penalties for a BAC of .10% or higher. |
| South Carolina | x | x | x | Possible community service in lieu of jail. | ||
| South Dakota | x | x | x | Possible community service at the discretion of the court. | ||
| Tennessee | x | x | x | x | ||
| Texas | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Utah | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Vermont | x | x | x | x | ||
| Virginia | x | x | ||||
| Washington | x | x | x | |||
| West Virginia | x | x | x | Different penalties for drivers under 21 years old. | ||
| Wisconsin | x | x | x | |||
| Wyoming | x | x | ||||
| Washington DC | x | x | x |
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