Some motorists are accused of driving while impaired (DWI) offenses because they cause crashes. Others fail chemical tests during traffic stops. Regardless of how an individual’s impairment came to the attention of law enforcement professionals, they may be at risk of arrest and prosecution.
Many people facing DWI charges do not want to take the case to trial. Even if they insist that there must be a misunderstanding because they were not drunk, they may plead guilty to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Doing so leaves them at the mercy of the courts regarding the sentence imposed in most scenarios. Defendants who plead guilty to or get convicted of DWI offenses face a number of serious penalties, including the three consequences below.
Jail time
Incarceration is a common penalty for drunk driving offenses. Typically, motorists spend at least one night in jail as they wait for arraignment in court. Sometimes, they may spend far more than a single day in state custody. A first DWI offense without major aggravating factors could lead to between 10 days and one year in state custody. A second offense could carry up to five years in prison.
Financial penalties
Fines are a common consequence of breaking the law. A DWI offense likely carries a significant fine. A first charge may lead to up to $1,000 in fines. Second offenses could cost someone up to $2,500. In addition to paying a fine, the driver also typically has to cover court costs. They may also have additional expenses in the future because their conviction may increase what they pay for motor vehicle liability insurance.
Driver’s license penalties
The possible consequences often reflect the nature of the offense. In a DWI case, penalizing a driver by limiting their driving privileges is an appropriate penalty. As is the case for other penalties, the duration of license suspension in a DWI case depends in part on the prior record of the driver and other aggravating factors. Typically, drivers may lose their licenses for at least 180 days after a DWI conviction.
Fighting back against DWI charges can help people avoid costly, embarrassing and challenging criminal consequences. Motorists may need help developing a defense strategy that allows them to limit the penalties that the courts could potentially impose, and that’s okay.