If i was to get arrested for DUI what are the consequences for that? 1st time offense?

Question

I have never been arrested for this, almost once..i just wondered what the normal fines for this would be, or jail time....estimated i suppose...Does it matter the state? I am in Tennessee...thanks in advance

Answer 1

Depends on what state it's in, your level of intoxication, and whether you are involved in an accident or are driving with a minor in the car. Arizona, for example, is about to enact some seriously tough penalties for DUI--if your blood alcohol is a certain level or higher, your car is impounded, you get mandatory jail time (in Phoenix, that means living OUTSIDE in a tent, even when it's 120 degrees!) plus a fine, and when you do get your car back (if you get it back) you will have to equip it (at your expense) with a breathalizer that you'll have to use before the car will start.

Answer 2

No one can estimate that as every case is different. How much you blew, circumstances, your age, appearance, any other tickets and most importantly how much you spend on a lawyer. But it's not just in fines that you pay...... but thousands later.

A good lawyer might be able to plead it down to a reckless driving. So that is going to set you back something like $1800. So you first have to speak to at least two to see what each has to say. That means you have to take time off of work which will cost most people.

They will tow your car when you are arrested. Towing and even a day or two in the impound lot could be around $450 to get it out. And oh yea..... though sometime when a person gets one they let you out in the morning such is not always the case. So you will need to get bailed out which which can be around $250.

I have some family in Tennessee and they were telling me that it some counties you have to go to an arrainment sperate from the actual court day. As an aside they were telling me that Tennessee has this quirky law that a younger relative got dinged with. It's called "DUI by consent" which means the PASSENGER can face the same chrges as the driver. He got out of it but was still charged as tey were all shitfaced.

So the court day comes........one more day off from work. I don't know the minimums in your state. Sometimes they can suspend part of it. With court costs and a clean record think $500-600. 3 to 30 days in jail. Suspended license for at least 3 months. And of course some sort of alchohol awareness class which will take away your evenings and cost $250-500 depending on what you blew. If it was really high they may order an evaluation (more money) and AA (more time).

So you have now pretty much reached the standard that it will in the end..... even for a straight up DUI $4000. But the fun is only beginning. $50 to 100 dollars to reinstate your license. The insurance company WILL find out and your rates can quadruple. This will stick for 3 years but sometimes 5. Or they might drop you and then you have to do the uninsured driver thing...... another $600 at the least.

If given enough jailtime you might lose your job or it will at least damage you professionally somehow. Nowdays many jobs in many sectors do a background check. That DUI is going to be a big old redflag for years.

This leaves out the whole if you are in an accident thing. Even if it was not you fault the other people could have you found liable since you were drunk. The insurance company could refuse to pay ALL of the way around. Even for any medical expenses for passengers. You medical expenses if you don't have medical insurance? Just a ride in an ambulance to get checked out could be $8000.

I went on and on and all does not apply in all cases. Point is......... that $25 cab ride is always the way to go.

Answer 3

It depends on the state of course, but where I worked you could expect 48 hours in jail (which was rarely done on the first time), a fine up to 1,000 dollars. The first DUI is usually looked upon by the state as "you need to learn a lesson and not do this anymore" when you get beyond the first is when the state starts deciding to play hardball with you.
The 3rd DUI where I was if it was within a certain amount of time (5 years when I was a cop) was considered a felony DUI and they started doing really nasty things to your driver's license.

Answer 4

depends on where you live. in the county i live in you would loose your license for 3 to 6 months and serve a few days in jail. in another county where one of my in laws live with a 3rd offense you just get a slap on the wrist. and thats not just a 3rd offense dui but also 3 child endangerments and trying to outrun the law. all you receive is a slap on the wrist mainly because they just go to jail for 30 days and loose their license for a year. thats not enough time in my book where children is involved.

Answer 5

CAB FARE IS CHEAPER THAN A DUI
don't drive when drinking!!!!!!!!!!!
it will cost you more than
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
someone else could get hurt or killed, including you, Gurl

Answer 6

Your penalty would depend on whether or not you're a celebrity.

Answer 7

Ditto what 'tommybear45' said. Be safe!!! :-)))