LEGAL BLOG

What To Expect After Your First DUII Offense

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You’ve had a drink or two too many, but you think you’re fine to drive home. And then you see the red and blue flashing lights. Before you know it, you have your first driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) offense. 

 

In Oregon, you can be convicted of DUII if you are operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, or if you are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. 

 

If this is the first time you’ve been charged with a DUII – or if you haven’t had an offense within the past five years – you can expect the following legal implications and penalties. 

 

Driving Restrictions After DUII

After your first DUII, you can face a 90-day suspension of your driver’s license. This can be extended up to one year if you refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test. However, during this period you may be allowed to drive to work, medical appointments, and substance abuse treatment.

 

You will also face restrictions on your vehicle itself. You will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle for one year after your license is no longer suspended. 

 

These restrictions can be troublesome for completing daily tasks and can be costly – as you will need to pay for the installation and maintenance of your ignition interlock device. If you are facing these restrictions, it’s essential to work with a DUII lawyer to represent you.

 

Criminal Penalties for DUII

If you are convicted of your first DUII, there are several criminal penalties you might face. The judge could sentence you to jail time, which could range from a couple of days to a year. The penalty could also be less severe, like community service. That could range from 80 to 250 hours. Because of the broad range of penalties for a first offense of DUII, it’s important to hire an experienced DUII lawyer to represent you in court and in front of the judge. 

 

Financial Penalties for DUII

Along with criminal penalties are financial penalties you will need to pay. The minimum fine you could owe is $1,000. This can increase based on the severity of your DUII and your BAC. The higher your BAC, the higher the fine. You will also face higher fines if you had a minor passenger in your vehicle and you’re at least three years older than the passenger. A DUII lawyer can help minimize these penalties.

 

Substance Abuse Treatment

If you are convicted of a DUII, you will be required to complete a screening to determine if you need to enroll in a substance abuse treatment program, and what type of help you need. You could be expected to pay for the treatment and will also need to pay for the screening itself. 

 

DUII Diversion Program

If it’s your first DUII offense, you can try to qualify for a DUII diversion program. You will need to plead guilty or no contest to the charges. However, completing the course can result in getting the charge dismissed after a year. You will need to work with a DUII lawyer to determine if you qualify and if it’s the best option for you and your case. 

 

Let Us Help You

If you are facing DUII charges, let our lawyers at The Law Offices of Alexzander C.J. Adams, P.C. help prepare you for what to expect and help you try to reduce your penalties. We work for you, the people, and not institutions. Contact us for a free case evaluation, or no-obligation consultation. We are dedicated to helping you overcome this small bump in the road and assisting you to get on with your life.

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