Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Penalties For DUI If Convicted

By Richard Milford

With DUI convictions so prevalent these days it is no surprise to see police setting up temporary DUI stations, especially on holidays and weekends when there is a higher number of DUI incidences. With DUI cases going through the court system so often they have become stricter. It would be wise on your part to realize what you have to look forward to when getting behind the wheel when under the influence.

There are certain things you better be prepared for should you ever be stopped for DUI, with the first being asked by the officer if you are under the influence. From there he will proceed to check your driving record and registration. If the officer still feels you are DUI, he will begin doing field sobriety tests on you and when through with those he still deems it necessary he will request a chemical test such as a breathalyzer or blood test.

After being officially arrested for a DUI you will have various possible consequences to deal with. This also includes criminal consequences and these will increase in severity each time you commit the same offense. The severity of the law infraction will also determine how harsh the consequences will be. First time offenders usually will receive less severe punishments then those that are facing their second or even third DUI offenses. Punishments can include anything, like fines, probations or time in jail.

In some states a DUI offender will possibly face license penalties on top of the other common punishments. This means that the driver's license will be suspended or revoked and a suspension can be anything from thirty days to more than two years. In some cases a driver will be given a restricted license and that means that the regular license can be kept, but driving is only allowed to commute to and from work. If more DUI offenses are racked up, then the authorities can even come and confiscate the vehicle.

For individuals who cannot seem to learn their lessons repercussions can quickly inflate. In fact, in some states they may be labeled with "repeat offender" status. Once tagged with this the penalties for DUI will significantly increase. As the offenses continue to add up, the consequences will progressively get more severe. Eventually this may result in having your license plate confiscated, your driver's license revoked, and even a registry for those who have continued to ignore their restrictions.

Even though DUIs are now more common, that does not mean it is an offense that should be taken lightly. It is a serious situation with regards to the law and can be punished with harsh consequences.

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