If you have been confronted with the possibility of a DUI conviction, then you will need to prepare yourself for the possible consequences. These consequences can vary from state to state, but there are some factors that are common to most DUI convictions, such as:

Escalating Penalties

One of the first things that you need to know is that the penalties for a DUI will rise with each successive conviction. Your first DUI might not be punished very severely, but a third or fourth DUI can have dire consequences for you, leading to large fines and extensive time in prison.

Fines

When it comes to money, you might only be set back a few hundred dollars for your first DUI. This can increase to several thousand dollars for later convictions, but it's important to note that the law gives courts a significant amount of leeway in determining the punishment for each individual case.

For example, a strict state like Arizona will fine you a minimum of $250 for your first offense and a minimum of $750 for your third offense. There is no explicit maximum in this state, meaning that your fine could potentially get very high.

To contrast, a relatively lenient state like Maryland will penalize you up to $1000 for your first offense, up to $2000 for your second offense, and up to $3000 for your third offense. By only having maximums instead of minimums, Maryland allows the possibility of an extremely low fine for a DUI.

When looking at the minimum and maximum amount of money that you can be fined, you might be surprised to note that the maximum penalty doesn't necessarily change much from the first to third (and possibly fourth) offenses. This means that you could potentially be fined the same amount for a first DUI as someone else might be fined for their fourth.

The reasoning is that the circumstances of the crime should dictate how harsh the punishment is. Not all cases are created equally, and the repercussions of your alleged crime can vary dramatically. In turn, this can lead to cases where the court might be on your side (and thus likely to give you minor penalties), or the converse, where the court is siding against you (where you might receive the maximum fine, even if it's your first offense).

Prison Time

The amount of prison time can also vary dramatically, depending on the nature of your case. You might only spend a day or two in prison (since that is the minimum in many states), but a third or fourth offense could easily leave you in prison for nearly a year.

To use the same states as above, Arizona requires that a first DUI be punished with 1-10 days in jail for a first offense and a minimum of 4 months for a third offense.

Maryland instead only has maximums, allowing up to 1 year in jail for a first offense, up to 2 years for a second offense, and up to 3 years for a third offense.

Therefore, it's critical that you take your DUI charge seriously. A properly-constructed case where you are painted in a sympathetic and remorseful light can ensure that you only spend a few months in prison, or at least as close to the minimum sentence as possible. A weaker case could end up getting you the maximum amount of time in prison, which could spell disaster for your employment and future opportunities. Contact a business, such as Eaby Firm LLC, for more information. 

Share