DUI Charges?

Question

Can anyone tell me for sure, maybe from personal experience, if you go to jail for a first offence?

Answer 1

Unless there was death involved, no one should be going to jail for a first offense.

Answer 2

It depends on the state. If you didn't already spend some time in jail the night or day of your arrest, you might not go back to jail. Usually the judge will sentence you to community service, Three year probation, drug and alcohol class($1000) for nine months Ca , fines which are usually very High from $1000 to $2500, plus if you hire a lawyer it starts at $1500 to $2500. And your insurance will increase a LOT. Look into finding cheaper insurance. Oh, DMV will suspend your license for 90days maybe 6 months! Be ready for a tough year ahead. Just get enrolled as soon as possible in that drug and alcohol class and don't miss any without calling the school or you'll be back in court.

Answer 3

All of the answers so far are pretty accurate. Some states have a minimum (like 2 days) but some will waive that depending on many factors. How much you had to drink, age, any prior tickets, etc.

The key is a really good lawyer is key so don't get a cheap one. A good one can save you thousands now and untold thousands in insurance. In most any career feild these days a DUI can be problematic in regards to employment.

A good one might get it reduced to a reckless in exchange for traffic/alchohol school, probation, AA or many other things. So jail is not really what you need to be focusing on as it is unlikely. It should be more on what you can do to minimize the other consequences.

Answer 4

That depends on how bad you were, if you didn't hurt anyone and have a clean record you're probably good to go. You'll get a nice big fine and well you should and when your insurance company get wind of your dui you're going to get another surprise. If you haven't found out already attorneys don't work for free. DUI's are felonies but a good lawyer may be able to help you there. Felonies never go away but after you go to court you can have your record expunged. Your lawyer will help you with that..Felony charges are not a good thing.

Answer 5

Even if your first offense, you may go to jail if there is anything else criminal in your past, and especially if on probation for something else. Most states have a minimum jail time, but the judge can sentence you to time served if you spent time in jail after arrest, plus probation, alcohol treatment, fines, community service, revoked or restricted license, etc., etc., etc.

Answer 6

It depends on the state, how high your blood alcohol level was, whether you hurt someone, how much the prosecutor is motivated to go after you, etc.

I have a few friends who did not go to jail their first time. In the vast majority of situations, you do not go to jail your first time. That is not to say that you couldn't however.

Answer 7

Not generally.

The average cost of a first time DUI in the U.S. is $2500.00. This includes fines, costs, and attorney fees.

Beyond that, probation and possible loss of license are the likely consequences.

Answer 8

I didn't but I didn't hurt anyone.

I had to pay a LOT of money. I had to pay court costs, my court ordered drunk school and my insurance went sky high.

The only insurance company that even wanted to do business with me was Progressive.

If I do it again I will go to jail. So guess what! I am never going to do it again --Ever!

Answer 9

it depends ...... i was taken to jail for 3-4 hrs until i got sober up .......