In Alabama, it is illegal for any driver to operate a motor vehicle while they are intoxicated. Alabama state laws define the penalties for driving while intoxicated, which may include the acquisition of SR-22 insurance coverage due to a higher risk. A criminal law attorney in Birmingham AL build a credible defense for drivers accused of this infraction.
The Penalties for a First Offense
After the first conviction, the driver faces a maximum of one year in county lockup as well as a fine ranging between $500 and $2,000. The state imposes a driver’s license suspension of ninety days. All drivers who are convicted of DUI must also attend alcohol education courses approved by the state.
When There Is a Second Conviction
Any driver who is arrested for a second DUI must remain in county lockup for no less than forty-eight hours. They incur a sentence of no more than one year in county lockup. The judge may also assign twenty days of community service. They incur a fine starting of $1,000 with a maximum of $5,000. The state also imposes a $100 fee that is submitted to the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund. The driver’s license suspension is one year.
A Third DUI Charge
The third DUI charge incurs at least a sixty-days jail sentence with a maximum of one year. The fine for this conviction starts at $2,000 and tops out at $10,000. The driver’s license is suspended for three years.
Felony DUI Charges
Any DUI charge in five years beyond the third conviction begins with at least one year in jail. The maximum sentence is ten years. The fine begins at $4,000 and maxes out at $10,000, and the driver’s license is suspended for a period of five years.
In Alabama, it is illegal for all drivers to operate a moving vehicle while intoxicated. The state can impose the implied consent ruling and require immediate chemical testing. Any driver who has a blood-alcohol content reading of 0.08 percent is guilty of a DUI. Individuals facing these charges can Visit Forstman & Cutchen LLP to hire a criminal law attorney in Birmingham, AL.
