DUI convictions can result in severe penalties, such as jail or prison time, probation, DUI school, a driver’s license suspension, community service hours, vehicle immobilization, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and court costs, and a permanent criminal record. The penalties depend on whether you have any prior convictions and can be enhanced in certain circumstances, such as causing an accident or having minors in the car at the time of the arrest.

The penalties for a DUI conviction may include:

• First DUI – Up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, driver’s license suspension of six months to one year, 10-day vehicle immobilization, and mandatory attendance at DUI school
• Second DUI – Up to 9 months in jail when the second DUI occurs within five years of the first, up to a $4,000 fine, ignition interlock device, license suspension up to five years, multiple offender DUI school, and community service hours
• Third DUI – Up to five years in prison, up to $5,000 fine, 10-year minimum license suspension, ignition interlock device, and multiple offender DUI school
• Fourth DUI – Up to five years in prison, a lifetime revocation of your driver’s license, and fines of $2,000 to $4,000

Your driver’s license will automatically be suspended if you fail to submit to a breath or blood test. After being arrested for DUI, you only have ten days to request a hearing with the DMV to fight your license suspension. Retaining experienced legal representation is important in challenging your license suspension.