What are the potential punishments for a DUI?

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious charge. There are a wide array of punishments you can face because this charge involves both criminal and administrative consequences.

Your exact sentence will depend on whether this is your first charge, your driving history, how severe the incident was and your blood alcohol level at the time.

Incarceration

With a DUI, you could go to jail or prison. Jail is at the county level and usually involves sentences under one year. Prison is at the state level and has longer sentences. You may also go to a treatment center or a residential center. Probation or parole may also accompany incarceration sentences.

Community service

Your sentence may also include a term of community service. You will go through the court to set this up. The length of time can vary.

Fines

If you receive community service, you will have an additional fine. Fines for the actual DUI could be as high as $2,000 for a first offense. But they can be much higher if your charge is more serious or you have previous charges. You also will likely have to pay court costs, and you will owe money to get your driving privileges back.

Driver’s license

You will likely lose your driver’s license for at least some time due to a DUI. It will depend on the actual charges and the circumstances of the charge. It is possible in some cases to lose your driving privileges for life.

Driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08 is a drunk driving charge in the state of Florida. You could potentially face any or all of these penalties if you have a conviction for this crime.