Even though a person has never been arrested before, they are facing serious penalties if they are pulled over and arrested for a DUI. The penalties can rise if there was a minor in the vehicle or if there was an accident as a result of the person driving under the influence. A DUI is typically when a person has a blood alcohol level off .08% or higher when they are driving, but can be lowered to .04% if they are driving a commercial vehicle or .02% if they are under 21 years old.
Penalties for a First Offense
A person who is convicted of a DUI for the first time faces 60 days to one year in jail, $500 to $5,000 in fines, and a license suspension of up to two years. If they refuse to take the blood alcohol test, they will receive a one-year suspended license whether or not they’re found guilty. They also face difficulty getting a job or finding a place to live because they will now have a criminal record.
What Can Reduce the Penalties?
Working with one of the DUI Defense Attorneys in Auburn Indiana is going to be the only way the penalties can be reduced. The lawyer may be able to show the arrest was illegal, the evidence was insufficient to charge the person, or otherwise be able to have the charges dropped or lowered. Even lowering the charges can help because it may be lowered to a traffic infraction and, therefore, not show up in a criminal record check. When this doesn’t happen, the lawyer can work to convince the judge the person has learned their lesson and doesn’t need to be punished with the maximum penalties. This could mean the judge will give the person the minimum sentencing required by law.
Anyone who has been arrested and charged with a DUI needs to speak with one of the DUI Defense Attorneys in Auburn Indiana as soon as possible. Even if it is their first arrest or they believe they are guilty, the lawyer can do quite a bit to help lower the sentence and the penalties the person receives.
