What Happens after Your First DUI Offense?After the initial shock wears off, a DUI conviction leaves you facing a complicated set of instructions for getting your life back. When asking yourself, “what happens for your first DUI offense?” there are a handful of key factors you need to understand. Specifically, you will be facing a mandatory sentence and punishments ordered by the court. You will also need to understand the nature of a DUI charge and the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction. In most cases, a first DUI offense will result in a misdemeanor charge. What happens for your first DUI offense will always be a situation resulting in an assortment of the following mandatory penalties:
Potential Jail TimeYou may or may not have to spend time in jail after your first DUI. DUI convictions carry a minimum sentence of five days in jail and a maximum sentence of up to one year. What happens for your first DUI offense is that the mandatory five days in jail can be suspended if the offender undergoes an alcohol and drug evaluation and successfully completes the treatment program. However, if your BAC was a .20 or higher, even if it was your first offense, the minimum jail sentence is 10 days and cannot be suspended. FinesYou will also have to pay fines after your first DUI, which can run between $600 - $1000. In addition, you will have to pay all the costs associated with your court ordered alcohol classes and therapy, plus all fees associated with the interlock device, should you be required to have one. Loss of Driver’s LicenseYou will lose your license for either 9 months or 12 months, and will be issued a “no drive” period of either 30 or 60 days. An offender can apply for a restricted license after one month of the revocation period has passed, as long as they did not refuse a chemical test. If said driver refused a chemical test, they must wait two months in order to apply for a restricted license. In both cases, a restricted license will only be issued upon completion of the drivers required alcohol/drug education and treatment program. Following this “no drive” period you will be allowed to drive with an ignition interlock device for 8 months to 11 months, should you choose to pay for one and have it installed. An individual with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or above will be classified as a “persistent drunk driver,” and will be required to drive with an ignition interlock device for up to two years. In addition, you will be required to carry the SR-22 car insurance to get your license back and your car insurance premiums will never be the same. Mandatory Completion of an Alcohol/Drug Rehabilitation ProgramWhat happens for your first DUI offense is that you will have to participate in an alcohol/drug rehabilitation program, consisting of DUI education and therapy classes that must happen in a facility approved by the Department of Behavioral Health. The type(s) of classes and the number of hours required will depend on the results of your alcohol evaluation. They will most likely consist of a combination of Level I or II Education and Level II Therapy. These classes come with their own set of rules outlining how, when, and in what order you must complete them. Mandatory Community ServiceFor your first DUI offense, you must complete a minimum of 48 to 96 hours of public service and pay a $120 fee. In most cases, you will be provided with a list of approved places to complete your public service by your probation officer. You might also be given a time period in which you must complete said public service. If you need help choosing the right public service option for you, check out this helpful link, https://myduisolution.com/how-to-find-community-service-opportunities-near-you/. A Criminal ConvictionUnfortunately, DUI convictions remain on your record for the rest of your life. Currently in Colorado the, “look back” period, or the time that prosecutors can look back into your criminal history, is not set, meaning that any prior DUI a person incurred in Colorado can be observed on his or her criminal record and may be used to inform the possible charges/penalties for a future DUI case. However, there are steps you can take to expunge your DUI from your record if the following criteria are met:
Now that the repercussions of your DUI conviction have become a reality, you must start addressing these requirements so that you can get your life back. If you’re ready to start your DUI Education or Therapy classes, look no further than Sample Supports! All of our classes take place in a small, homelike setting conveniently located in downtown Longmont. Our class times are set so that you can make the most out of your busy schedule. Plus, we are one of the few facilities in Boulder County that offer classes on the weekends, as well as Medicaid billing. We understand that what happens for your first DUI offense is hard to swallow, but what matters is not what you did, but how you take the steps to overcome it. Get started today by visiting http://www.sampletherapy.com/dui.html.
8 Comments
6/17/2020 02:30:05 pm
Thanks for what you said about how she won't be able to drive for 9-12 months and she may have a lot of fines. My cousin has been having a really hard time drinking and she got a DUI the other day so getting some help could be really useful. Learning how to drive could be really useful for her and allow her to be a lot safer.
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6/30/2020 09:25:06 am
It was helpful when you explained that a rehabilitation program will have to be completed at an approved facility after a DUI offense occurs. My younger sister blew over the limit on her way home from a party in the city earlier this morning. Thanks for sharing this info so I can help her find a DUI assessment program to meet the requirements for her charges.
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10/23/2020 01:00:08 am
I had no idea that having a DUI charge has a lot of consequences, such as receiving a criminal record along with paying for any fines. One of my friends is a known alcohol lover, but he insists on purchasing a car this year. I'll suggest that he reach out to a lawyer for advice on how to avoid this.
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3/31/2021 01:08:15 pm
I didn't realize that you may go to jail following your first DUI. My son was recently arrested for driving while under the influence. He should consider finding an attorney that can help him avoid serious consequences.
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11/26/2022 01:52:41 am
A Glendale DUI attorney can help you get your case dismissed or reduce the sentence. These attorneys can also help you negotiate a plea deal to get community service or fines waived instead of jail time. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can ask a public defender to represent you instead.
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12/5/2022 01:36:16 pm
It stood out to me when you mentioned that people can face jail time if they get a DUI. I would imagine that the amount of jail time can be determined by the severity of the DUI case. Working with a lawyer could be an effective way to try to reduce the amount of jail time you are facing if you are in a situation like this.
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5/5/2023 08:10:56 am
I was captured when you discussed that a DUI offense can make you participate in an alcohol/drug rehabilitation program. My friend wants to free himself from addiction. I should advise him to start his addiction treatment as soon as possible.
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