Understanding DUI Penalties.

State DUI law postulates a variety of penalties when you are charged with drunk driving. Those will include criminal punishments, civil fines, and other consequences, depending upon your prior record, your state, and the details of your case. Although DUI penalties are state-specific, one thing remains the same -- drunk driving consequences can be intense. And, DUI penalties get even more severe for a second and each following DUI charge.

Here are some common DUI penalties for a first occurrence of drunk driving.

Most states will impose a large fine, somewhere around $1500. Usually it can be arranged to be paid in monthly installments. DUI First Offender School (12 weeks long). Three years probation (which is a probation in name only, as there is no probation officer). Ninety days license restriction (to be initiated after the four months DMV suspension runs out) Several days (typically 5 to 12) of community service program (cleaning buses, picking up trash, digging ditches etc.) Ninety days license restriction is in addition to the four months of DMV suspension. The suspension goes into effect thirty days after a DUI arrest.

These two actions (court and DMV) are separate dui penalties and do not influence one another. Many times someone gets their license back by going to the DMV hearing and then is convicted in the court. it is worth a try, but you never know.

Usually DUI penalties stipulate that after the court conviction you can get a restricted license after a 30 day hard suspension. This allows you to drive to and from work and in the course of your employment and to and from the DUI program. Restricted license is generally a good deal, and most of the time if you are driving carefully you will be ok, even if you are not going to work.

In order to obtain a restricted license tyou will need to do these three things:

1. Show proof of dui insurance (SR-22) 2. Pay a license reissue fee 3. Demonstrate proof of enrollment in approved DUI program.

You can chose to ride out the 4 months suspension period and get you license back once the suspension period expires. However, once the court notifies the DMV that you have been convicted of a DUI and as part of your probation you will be sent to a First Offender DUI Program anyhow. The requirement to show proof of completion of the program will be added to the list of items needed to get your license returned. You will also be required to show proof of Insurance (SR-22) and pay a fee around $100. So all in all, it makes sense to apply for a restricted license and jump through all the hoops as soon as possible. Eventually you will be required to do so anyhow.