While the specifics will vary from state to state, generally it is agreed upon that a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a certain amount, the presence of any Schedule I or Schedule II medications or a being visibly impaired by alcohol and/or drugs constitutes as driving while under the influence. If a blood alcohol test within two hours of you being pulled over shows the presence of impairing chemicals in your bloodstream, a DUI charge is likely to follow.
A DUI is a serious offense that you will want to take steps to avoid, and if you find yourself facing DUI charges, be sure to hire legal representation to represent your interests in court.
What is a “Second-Offense” DUI charge?
If you have been convicted of a DUI in a certain amount of time (for example, in many states, a second-offense conviction happens if the first DUI conviction took place within the last ten years), then you run the risk of incurring a second-offense DUI. The charges for a second-offense DUI are often worse than charges for your first DUI.
Legal consequences for a second DUI
From longer jail time to mandatory rehab to higher fines, drivers convicted of second-offense DUIs run the risk of facing more severe consequences than they did with their first DUI. Depending on the state, penalties include:
- Up to six months in jail
- Up to $2,500 in fines
- Mandatory driver safety classes
- Mandatory alcohol and/or drug rehab
- License suspension for up to 18 months
With so much at stake with a second-offense DUI, don’t face such charges alone. At White Law, our team of trusted Okemos criminal defense attorneys has helped countless individuals protect their rights following a DUI charge.
Give us a call today (517) 316-1195 for more information about how we can help with your situation.
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