Oregon State Laws on DUI
Any driver with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is legally guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) in the state of Oregon. If the driver is operating a commercial vehicle, this limit is cut in half. Zero tolerance is given to drivers who are under the legal drinking age of 21 and operating a motor vehicle on Oregon's roadways.
Other People Are Reading
-
Fines
-
The exact amount of fines for a DUI depends on prior offenses, if any. $1,000 is the minimum fine for a first offense DUI, $1,500 is the minimum fine for a second offense and $2,000 is the minimum fine for a third offense.
Fines may be as high as $10,000, however, depending on the driver's blood alcohol content and whether or not any children were in the vehicle at the time of arrest. On top of any fines paid, a minimum of $300 in various DUI fees will also be required, regardless of the number of DUI convictions on a person's record.
Jail Time
-
Jail time is mandatory for all DUI convictions. Individuals face a minimum of 48 hours in jail and a maximum of one year for a first offense DUI-conviction. A second offense warrants a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a third offense DUI-conviction, which may be considered a class "C" felony, warrants a maximum 5-year jail sentence.
-
Community Service
-
In lieu of serving more than the minimum 48-hour jail sentence, first-time DUI offenders are given the opportunity to perform community service. A total of 80 hours of community service is required. This option is only granted to those who have been convicted of their first DUI.
Specialty Programs
-
The completion of a drug and alcohol treatment program is mandatory for all DUI offenders, regardless of any prior offense. DUI offenders will also be required to participate in a victim-impact panel for any DUI offense.
License Suspension
-
A first-time DUI offender will have his license suspended for a period of one year. Second-time DUI offenders face a suspension of three years if DUI convictions are within five years of each other. Third-time DUI offenders permanently lose the right to drive in the state of Oregon.
Ignition Interlock Device
-
An ignition interlock device is installed on the vehicles of all first and second-time DUI offenders. First-time offenders are required to use the device for one year after the license suspension period has expired, while second-time offenders are required to use the device for a total of two years after license suspension has expired.
-
References
- Photo Credit Oregon state contour with Capital City against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
