What Happens To First Time Offenders in Alabama?

Crossing the alcohol limit boundary of being found out to have 8% blood alcohol content- or an amount that renders a potential offended incapacitated to drive will definitely get you a DUI conviction. DUI or driving under the influence applies to alcohol, prohibited and non-prohibited drugs use.

Don’t think that you can get off easy because it’s your first time to be arrested for a DUI. All your previous arrest and conviction records may be taken into consideration during a sentencing hearing and may end up costing you more than an arm and leg when it comes to time spent in the slammer and community fines for your DUI.

A first time offender for a DUI charge can be charged with a fine of anywhere from six hundred to twenty one hundred dollars and additional charges detriment to the Drivers Trust Fund. You can also spend a non-mandatory minimum sentence up to a year in prison and if that’s not enough, get your license suspended for 90 days.

Once someone charged with a DUI has been convicted, they are prescribed an obligatory alcohol evaluation program to examine the temperament and amount of the substance problem, which costs around fifty dollars and will have to be shouldered by the offender.

All convicted offenders are REQUIRED to go through the education and treatment plan as indicated by the substance assessment protocol and with most cases if it is a repeat offense, intensive out-patient rehabilitation program with monitoring by the court officer is given as part of the sentencing requirement. If you have failed to comply with court mandated rehabilitation then you can find yourself due back in court, and facing severe charges which could result to incarceration.

For minors who are under 21, on a first offense basis and have been found to contain .02% BAC, but less than .08%, a recommendation of 30 day license suspension and a 250$ fine for delinquency disposition is mandated with completion of a substance abuse program as referred by the court.

Commercial vehicles are mandate the same court sentencing with a consequence of a year’s worth of suspension for offenders to have been found with a BAC of .04 and an additional two years of license suspension if they fail to submit to proper testing and rehab evaluation.

Get DUI Help: Repeat Offenses for DUI Arrests

A conviction for DUI in the state of Alabama should be taken seriously. An arrest and conviction record for DUI has long term effects in many respects of your life including employment, personal records and the amount of time served as part of sentencing in the event of a repeat DUI charge. As with most states, harsher penalties are imposed on repeat DUI offenders, who are treated with the same sentencing if not more stringent, parameters as suspected offenders who are convicted of particularly high BAC at the time of the offense.

People categorized as “extremely intoxicated” have a BAC of .15 to .20 and require additional sentencing parameters, such as required alcohol rehabilitation programs and criminal charges which may face incarceration of up to five years. This is fairly similar to repeat offenders.

A repeat offender, per certain degree who are arrested for a DUI charge are subject to more criminal law penalties which may not be covered here, such as additional jail time, required community service, appointed court fines and enforced substance abuse treatment. This form of sentencing is more discretionary than identified for first time offenders and are difficult to pinpoint as it can be modified by a presiding judge or court ruling, depending on the history and arresting circumstance for the person charged.

Penalties incurred for repeat DUI offenders who are involved in accidents or cause severe bodily harm and worse death, will be subject to the maximum sentencing parameters for the charge and can be charged with Felony DUI which can result to an extensive jail term and court appointed sentences.

Hire an Experienced Alabama DUI Attorney Today

The most important aspect of your defense is hiring a law firm that has a deep understanding of the DUI laws that govern conviction, plea bargaining, appeal and sentencing for the state of Alabama. There are reputable law firms with an established practice that will make a significant difference in the outcome of your DUI charge. You can contact DUI lawyers either by phone or online. The first consultation is completely confidential and is normally free of charge.