A driver who is facing his or her first drunk driving charge may spend up to a year on probation or up to six months in jail. A jail term can be extended to nine months if a defendant’s BAC was .15% or higher. In some cases, a judge may opt to send an individual to a residential drug or alcohol treatment center in lieu of jail time.
A defendant will be subject to either 50 hours of community service or a fine of up to $10 per hour that he or she is required to serve. A defendant will also lose his or her license for up to a year, and a hardship license may be available during the revocation period. Drivers will need to complete a DUI treatment program within 90 days of getting their licenses back.
Those who have been charged with DUI may be able to have the charge dropped or reduced through a plea bargain. An attorney may cast doubt on the results of a breathalyzer test conducted before taking a person into custody. It may also be possible to argue that an individual was experiencing a medical emergency when contacted by police. This may be enough to help a person avoid some or all penalties in a drunk driving case.