Penalties for DUI
A DUI means a person has been "Driving Under the Influence" of alcohol, drugs or another substance. This is a criminal offense and, depending on the number of penalties a person has, can range from a misdemeanor charge to a felony. Each time a person receives a DUI, they receive negative points on their record, which could cause their license to be suspended temporarily or permanently. Prison and jail time, rehabilitation confinement, fines and being dropped by an insurance company are some of other penalties associated with having a DUI.
Other People Are Reading
-
License Suspension
-
Those with a DUI on their record can face the penalty of losing their license. The judge or magistrate in a court of law can confiscate a person's license for driving under the influence or restrict the places a person is allowed to drive to. Types of driving restrictions include work, church and visits to the hospital, dentist and other emergency facilities. The state department of motor vehicles also has the right to suspend or confiscate a license, as well.
Each person receives a total number of points. They lose points for any violation, including driving under the influence. Once they have lost all of their points, their license can be suspended.
Prison Time
-
The courts can take serious legal action against a person who is caught drinking and driving. When a person is drinking, she puts not only herself but also others at risk on the road. Depending on the blood-alcohol concentrate level and the number of DUIs on a person's record, the judge can order a drunk driver to pay a fine. In addition, the judge can order jail or prison time for that driver.
-
Required Treatment
-
A person who has numerous DUI offenses on his criminal and driving record can be ordered to get treatment of some kind. The treatment can be at a hospital group meeting such as Alcoholics Anonymous or at a rehabilitation facility. Some facilities require a person to stay overnight or longer. The facilities offer treatment and counseling to the driver to help him deal with his drinking addiction. A judge, magistrate or court official generally makes the ruling to send a repetitive DUI offender to a treatment facility.
Vehicle Confiscation
-
In some states, a DUI offense results in confiscating the driver's vehicle. The penalty is assessed depending on the severity of the blood-alcohol level of a driver. When the breathalyzer test is taken, a driver may be way over the normal alcohol limit, which varies by state. The police or law enforcement officer can confiscate the vehicle, unless a licensed person who has not been drinking and can pass a breathalyzer test is present to drive the person home.
Insurance Coverage
-
There are other penalties associated with DUIs that are not court related. One of those penalties includes insurance. Too many DUIs on a person's record can cause her insurance to be increased. An insurance company not only has the option to raise the premium on an insured person or vehicle, but the company also has the right to drop the premium for that person altogether. Because of the DUI violation, this person is considered a high risk for the insurance company.
-
