| Being convicted of a drunk driving offense (commonly | | | | As mentioned, these are the penalties for a first |
| referred to as a DUI) is a serious matter, no matter | | | | conviction, assuming there is no property damage and |
| what state you're in. You should do your utmost to | | | | no one has been injured as a result of the drunk |
| avoid a DUI charge. | | | | driving. Penalties for second or subsequent convictions, |
| In Florida, for example, these are the kinds of penalties | | | | or if property damage or personal injury occurs, are |
| you can expect just from a first DUI conviction: | | | | much higher. Expect significant jail time in these cases, |
| - Fine: You will pay a fine of from $500 to $1000. The | | | | as there is very little tolerance for drunk driving these |
| fine is doubled, however, if your blood alcohol level | | | | days, whether it's in Florida or some other state. |
| (BAL) is 0.15 or higher or there is a minor in the vehicle. | | | | The best way to avoid a DUI conviction is to avoid |
| - Community Service: You will be required to complete | | | | being charged with a DUI offense in the first place. |
| 50 hours of community service. | | | | Don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you've been |
| - Probation: You will be placed on up to a year's | | | | drinking, especially if you've drunk a lot of alcohol in a |
| probation. (Total jail and probation time cannot exceed | | | | short amount of time or you haven't had a meal with |
| one year.) | | | | the drinks. Although your blood alcohol level may be |
| - Jail Time: You can serve up to 6 months in jail or in a | | | | below the legal limit, it really doesn't take much alcohol |
| state-approved residential treatment program. With a | | | | to impair your driving ability, especially at night. And |
| BAL of 0.15 or higher or a minor in the vehicle, the jail | | | | you're never an objective judge of how drunk you are. |
| treatment time can be increased to 9 months. | | | | Having a designated driver is a simple solution to |
| - Vehicle Impoundment: Your vehicle will be impounded | | | | avoiding being charged with a DUI -- you can be drunk |
| for 10 days. | | | | in someone's car as long as the driver isn't drunk. Or |
| - License Suspension: Your driver's license will be | | | | get yourself home by taxi or by having someone pick |
| suspended for a period of 180 to 365 days. | | | | you up. It's just not worth putting yourself and others in |
| These penalties are described in detail in Section 193 | | | | danger by drinking and driving. |
| of Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes. | | | | |