People accused of different crimes face various penalties. State statutes outline specific consequences for different criminal charges. Often, the penalties relate to the type of offense that occurred.
Drivers accused of intoxication at the wheel are at risk of numerous consequences. Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can lead to incarceration, probation and fines. Drivers may also worry about whether a conviction or guilty plea could affect their driver’s licenses. They have every reason for worry, as a driver’s license suspension is currently a standard penalty for DUI convictions.
How long could a DUI-related license suspension last?
Prior charges affect the penalties
Some DUI cases are far more serious than others. Those who cause harm to others, including serious injury or death, may face more serious charges that carry significant penalties. Those accused of failing a breath test or driving poorly in traffic still face serious consequences even without aggravating factors.
The penalties imposed in a standard DUI case depend in part on the prior record of the accused driver. Prior offenses increase the penalties possible. A first DUI conviction or an offense that occurs at least five years after a prior DUI conviction carries up to a 12-month driver’s license suspension. In some cases, motorists may qualify for reinstatement after serving the first 120 days of their suspension.
A second DUI within five years of a prior offense can result in a longer driver’s license suspension. The convicted driver could lose their license for up to three years. A third DUI increases the duration of the suspension to up to five years.
Driver’s license suspensions are inconvenient and costly. They leave people dependent on others for transportation or force them to pay for on-demand transportation, which can easily become quite expensive. License suspensions are standard after a DUI conviction. The only way to avoid the challenges generated by losing driving privileges is to avoid a DUI conviction.
Those accused of drunk driving may have multiple defense strategies available to them. They often need help preparing to take their case to trial, and that’s okay. Fighting pending DUI charges can help people preserve their driver’s licenses and limit the financial consequences of a recent DUI arrest.