DC Second Offense DUI Charges
DC law imposes a mandatory minimum incarceration penalty for a second conviction for DUI. This means if you are arrested for impaired driving and are convicted with a prior offense on your record, you will go to jail for at least 10 days. If you want to try to avoid incarceration and other undesirable consequences of a repeat conviction, a DC DUI lawyer should be consulted as soon as possible following your arrest.
- Building a Defense For Second DUI Charges
- Sentencing and Penalties For Second DUI Offenses
- Difference Between a Second and Third DUI Offense
Why Do You Need a DUI Lawyer?
A repeat drunk driving conviction is much more serious than a first conviction. The history of DUI on your record means harsher penalties. Your second DUI conviction can also lead to further legal problems if you are arrested in the future, as well as to limitations on your job prospects and educational opportunities. Auto insurers may also drop you altogether or charge prohibitively high premiums after a second DUI conviction in the District of Columbia.
Because of the serious possible consequences, it is critical to try to avoid being found guilty of impaired driving a second time. While you have already navigated the legal system for your first case, determining what legal arguments to make and what steps to take can remain confusing. A DUI attorney can be your advocate at every step, from the immediate aftermath of the arrest to presenting evidence and making legal arguments in a criminal courtroom.
Penalties for a Second DUI Charge
The maximum penalties for a first DUI conviction include a $1,000 fine, a and up to 180 days of jail time. For a first offense, only a conviction with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .20 or higher will result in mandatory (with a 10 day mandatory minimum sentence.)
If you are convicted of a second DUI within 15 years of the first DUI conviction, however, there is always a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail- which means a conviction leads to incarceration regardless of any mitigating circumstances. You could spend up to a year in jail and pay a fine between $2,500 and $5,000. If you have a past conviction and your BAC is .20 or higher, there is a 15 day mandatory minimum sentence while if your BAC is .25 to .30, you will go to jail for at even longer.
It is possible to avoid penalties entirely if you are not convicted of the offense, or to minimize penalties if you can negotiate a plea agreement. Your attorney can help you to understand if you have options to defend yourself or to face a lesser sentence. Your attorney will negotiate with the prosecutor and prepare your case for litigation to maximize the chances for the best possible outcome in your case.
Getting Legal Help from a Second DUI Lawyer in DC
You know from the first time you were charged that it is hard to get out of the criminal justice system unscathed and that a DUI is going to make a big impact on your future. Don’t let a conviction happen again without a fight. Call a DUI lawyer with our firm today for help responding to charges.