A first time DUII is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon. This means that if you are convicted the judge can impose a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6250 or up to $10,000 if there is a minor in the car when the DUII offense occurs. A first time DUII conviction also carries a minimum sentence of 48 hours jail or 80 hours community service in lieu of jail and a minimum fine of $1000 for a first offense or $2000 if the driver’s blood alcohol content was 0.15% by volume or higher. The penalties get much higher for second or third and subsequent convictions. For a first conviction, the judge will usually impose something closer to the minimum sentence required by law, but the amount of jail time that a judge will usually impose varies from county to county and city to city across the state.
In addition to the fines and jail time, a DUI conviction will also result:
* Probation with the court for at least one year and possibly longer.
* A one-year driver’s license suspension (for a first offense).
* Court ordered attendance of a victim impact panel.
* Court ordered drug and alcohol use evaluation.
* Court ordered drug and alcohol treatment classes.
* The requirement that you have an initiation interlock device on your car when it is legal to drive again.
* An SR-22 requirement for years after conviction.
An attorney who is skilled in the intricacies of DUII law can help you predict the outcome in your case and may even be able to help you avoid some of these penalties. Timing is critical, so it’s always best to contact an attorney as soon as you are cited or charged for DUII.
- Knowing the range of consequences, from fines to jail time, helps defendants understand the gravity of their situation.
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