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Penalties for a DUI Conviction

The penalties for a DUI conviction vary widely depending on the state where you're arrested, whether it's a first or subsequent conviction, and with any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

DUI penalties handed down by the court can include:

• Jail time and fines

• Loss of driver's license

• Community service

• Ignition interlock

• Vehicle impoundment

• Mandatory DUI school

• Mandatory drug and alcohol evaluation and counseling

• Mandatory drug and alcohol inpatient rehabilitation - up to 28 days

For example,

• In Illinois, the per se DUI BAC is .08%; the aggravated DUI BAC is .16%; the zero tolerance for minors is 0%.

  • You can be fined and lose your license for 3 months for a first conviction to 10 years for a third DUI conviction; and your car can be confiscated.

  • You can be sent to jail for up to one year for a first offense, up to one year of a second offense, and up to 7 years of a third offense.

• In California, the per se DUI BAC is .08%; the aggravated DUI BAC is .16%; the zero tolerance for minors is .2%;

  • You can be fined and you will lose your license for 6 months for a first conviction, 2 years for a second conviction, and 3 years for a third DUI conviction; and your car can be confiscated.

  • You can be sent to jail for a first offense for up to 6 months, up to one year for a second offense, and up to one year for a third offense.

• In New York, the per se DUI BAC is .08%; the aggravated DUI BAC is .18%; the zero tolerance for minors is .2%.

  • You can be fined and you will lose your license for 90 days for a first conviction, 6 months for a second conviction, and 6 months for a third DUI conviction; and your car can be confiscated.

  • You can be sent to jail for up to one year for a first offense, 4 years for a second offense and 7 years for a third offense.

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