A first DUI can be very stressful because this is the hefty penalties. The hefty penalties that follow it don’t make it any easier. This is why it is always advisable to get a good attorney to help you dealing with your first DUI and avoid other issues like seeing a counselor for alcohol treatment. The aim of the attorney is to make sure that you don’t face the penalties or in the best case scenario you have the case thrown out of the court.

What are the penalties for a first DUI?

License suspension

License suspension is a very common problem for most drivers who face a DUI for the first time. Depending on your attorney, the time for driver suspension will vary. With a proper attorney, the suspension is not supposed to last more than just a few months.

During the time of suspension you not supposed to be driving. If you are caught driving during the time of the suspension, you will only make the situation worse for you. Always make sure that you keep to the rules that are offered to you during this time.

Completion of alcohol assessment (AA)

Before you can get your license back, you will be required to attend mandatory classes commonly known as AA. These classes are usually mandatory, and you will be required to complete them successfully before you can be allowed to drive again.

This is something that your attorney can negotiate about, and if you are lucky enough, you might escape attending these classes. After completing the AA classes successfully and prove that you are good to drive, your driving license will be reinstated, and you can now be allowed to the road again.

Fines and jail

A DUI charge is likely to attract very hefty fines although the fines are not usually constant. For instance, the fines in many states are anywhere between $390 up to a maximum of $1000. The amount of fine you pay is solely dependent on the kind of argument that your DUI attorney is representing you will give.

There are instances when the judge will require you to be jailed in a county jail. Mostly DUI followed by other traffic offenses will always lead to jail. For a DUI, you are likely to serve a sentence of up to six months in the county jail.

In addition to this, the DUI charge will remain on your record for ten years. In case you are involved in another DUI, it will be treated as a subsequent offend and this can take you to the list of habitual offenders.