Mia Rinaldi

The consequences of a DUI Penalty

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The state of Florida, among the fifty states in USA, is considered to have recorded the most number of significant traffic cases and incidents that are results of Driving under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). This may be the reason why lawmakers in this state have been under pressure in formulating and making firmer laws for such traffic crime.

The penalties and consequences for a DUI case vary from state to state in the country. For example, there are states that have penalties that may greatly be a result of two things. First is, the type of DUI being charged to the person and the second is, the person's criminal record. In the event that you have committed some DUI offenses in the past within the span of 7 years or 84 months, this can affect the severity of the consequences.

However, if your criminal or felony records are clean, the following punishments may be charged to you:

• For first-time offenders and have reach a BAC above .08%, the person will be sentenced to spend 10 to 180 days in prison. Within that 10 days of jail time, 9 days of it will be used for alcohol consultations, evaluations and treatments.

• An immediate fine of $1800 should be paid which excludes jails costs.

• Suspension of driver's license for 90 days and for some people who committed it several times, a probationary period of five years.

• Community service

• Installation of an ignition interlock device for 12 months.

In addition, DUI classes can also be one of the DUI penalty a person may face. It takes some hours that also scopes some counseling sessions, open-group discussions, film viewing and testimonials on drunk driving.

Nevertheless, if you have repeated a DUI for the second or third time, the DUI penalty that you may face will become harsher. For instance, the minimum duration of jail time will now be 90 days for second-time offenders and 45-180 days for third-time offenders. Compared to first time offenders, those who have received a DUI penalty several times are most likely advised to consult or hire the services of some DUI attorney.

A legal counsel will definitely be a good idea because having been charged with a DUI penalty many times is not a joking matter. Thus, an individual's legal counsel will definitely be beneficial during these rough and rigid times.

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