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We can all agree that intentionally driving while drunk is not a good idea. You are not only endangering your own life but the lives of other innocent people. But, not falling victim to such an act is never a certainty. The whole reason you are charged in the first place is that alcohol clouds your judgment. Even if you do stay vigilant, you can still get in trouble. If your blood alcohol content is even a fraction above the threshold, you are charged on the spot.
What to do when getting charged with DUI?
Most people don’t have much experience dealing with the law and might panic in such a situation. You do have the full right to stay silent, and you should not talk; in your defense or otherwise. However, the right to stay silent does not mean that you don’t have to do as the law enforcement officer is saying. Refusing to take drug tests can lead to nasty consequences and harsher penalties. Just do as the officer says and get in contact with your Pike County DUI Attorney for further assistance.
Penalties you might face:
After getting arrested, your case will be presented in front of a court of law. This is where the decision regarding your future would be made. The actual punishment you would receive can vary heavily based on the condition surrounding your arrest. There are, however, some minimum penalties in place to keep the rulings consistent to some extent.
There are three different minimum penalties. Which one you receive is based completely on your blood alcohol levels. These three levels and penalties attached with them are:
General impairment:
A DUI charge of general impairment is filed when the blood alcohol content is over 0.8 while staying under 0.10. The minimum sentence for general impairment includes probation of under six months, a fine of three hundred dollars minimum, and classes for DUI awareness. There can also be an alcohol treatment penalty, but it is optional and is implemented only ordered by the judge. Jail time or loss of driving license is also not mandatory for first-time offenders.
Middle tier:
Middle-tier DUI is charged when the blood alcohol content is over 0.10 and under 0.159. The penalty for this offense begins with a forty-eight-hour jail time and parole for six months. The fine can be anywhere between five hundred and five thousand dollars. The DUI classes and optional alcohol treatment are the same as the general impairment. The harshest part of the middle-tier DUI charge is a suspension of your driving license for one year.
High tier:
The only difference between the middle tier and high tier DUI offense is that in the high tier, the minimum jail time is seventy-two hours and a minimum fine of one thousand dollars. Every other penalty is the same as the previous tier.
Penalties outside the law:
A DUI charge will be permanently attached to your name and will show up for anyone doing a background check on you. It can heavily influence your insurance rates and increase them by a significant margin.
