What Happens After You Get Charged For A DUI?
Driving under the influence (DUI) is the crime of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of another drug to the point where it is dangerous to do so.
Even for a first-time DUI conviction, your sentence will always include a period of time without the ability to drive.
Paying Penalties
There are minimum and maximum punishments for driving while intoxicated in every state, but additional circumstances may increase these penalties.
Serving Time In Jail
Drinking and driving may seem like a fairly simple offence. When operating a vehicle, you are either within the legal limit or you are over it; if the latter is the case, you have broken the law.
However, the crime of drunk driving is actually considerably more complicated than this. It describes being “in charge of a motor vehicle” more broadly than just the act of driving.
What Categories Do Drunk Driving Offences Fall Under?
Drinking and driving is simply one infraction, and the legal limit for alcohol sets a clear, unambiguous standard for when it has occurred.
Adding Insult To Injury In A Drunk Driving Case
A lot of things can make the punishment for drunk driving more severe.
These consist of:
- DUI convictions in the past
- Getting into an accident
- Having travellers in your car
- Driving in inclement weather
Defending Against A Charge Of Drunk Driving
Since the Crown Prosecution Service takes charges involving drunk driving very seriously, mitigating circumstances are quite uncommon.
If you have taken more alcohol than the legal limit, it is not worth getting close to your car because even being in the vicinity of it or in possession of the keys could result in a charge of drunk driving.
What Are The Criteria For Punishment For Drunk Driving?
These consist of:
- All convictions for drunk driving result in a criminal record, however
- A reasonably low breathalyser reading might simply result in a fine.
- Over 2.5 times the legal limit, community penalties, such as probation orders and home curfews, take effect.
A court may consider a prison term of up to six months if the reading is over 120 micrograms. You can also be subject to an infinite fine and a three-year driving restriction.