Aggravated DUI Punishments
When a driver exceeds the speed limit while under the influence of alcohol, they are likely to face an aggravated DUI charge. Aggravated DUIs have worse penalties than normal DUI and can be charged as felony offenses.
If a driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, they could also face an aggravated DUI. Other factors like prior convictions or whether any minors were in the vehicle can increase penalties as well.
Loss of Your Driver’s License
While a DWI conviction is already a serious criminal offense, an aggravated DUI could result in even worse penalties. In addition to the penalties associated with a DWI, such as fines and jail time, aggravated DUI punishments could include license revocation or suspension, driver’s education classes, community service, and more.
The loss of your driver’s license is one of the most significant consequences of an aggravated DUI. A first-offense aggravated DUI can result in a one-year revocation of your driving privileges, which could affect your ability to work and maintain your financial obligations.
Substantial Fines
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense that can have negative consequences for you. However, if you are charged with an Aggravated DUI, the penalties can be even worse.
You may be charged with aggravated DWI if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol while a minor was present in your vehicle. This is a class 4 felony charge, which means that you can face years in prison if you are convicted.
The penalties associated with an aggravated DUI include jail time, substantial fines, and a loss of your driver’s license. Additionally, you will have to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for a period of time, undergo alcohol screenings and counseling, and complete community service.
Lengthy Prison Sentence
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious criminal offense in every state. However, aggravated DUIs are even more serious because they can carry a long prison sentence if you are convicted of this crime.
The court has some discretion when it comes to deciding how much jail time you will receive. Generally, the length of your jail time will depend on how many times you have been convicted of drunk driving offenses in the past.
A third DUI charge within ten years is considered a Class D felony. This carries a maximum seven-year prison term and fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
In addition to the prison sentence, you will have your license revoked for 18 months. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you own or operate.
If you have been charged with a felony DUI, you should consult an experienced lawyer to determine your best legal course of action. Your attorney will help you fight the charges and ensure that you are treated fairly by the courts.
Probation & Community Service
Generally speaking, community service is performed by defendants in lieu of time in jail or another possible penalty. It is intended as a means of educating defendants about their offense and the consequences of that crime, and may also be viewed as a form of symbolic restitution.
Under the supervision of a probation officer, defendants can participate in the community service program. The probation officer must approve the agency, location and frequency of participation, as well as the amount of community service to be completed.
Defendants are placed with nonprofit or government agencies to perform a set number of court-ordered hours. The community service agency assesses offenders based on their skills, criminal record, employment history, transportation issues or any other factors. Then the individual is placed on a supervised work crew.
The program evokes responsibility for the offender’s actions, provides an opportunity for offenders to gain new skills and often leads to long-lasting volunteer opportunities or permanent employment. It is a beneficial alternative to jail and saves taxpayers’ dollars.
Increased Automobile Insurance Rates
Aggravated DUI Punishments are a serious criminal offense that can have a lasting impact on your life. They involve a wide range of penalties, including license suspension, jail time and substantial fines.
Another significant impact of a drunk driving conviction is the increased automobile insurance rates. This is a major concern for most drivers and it is important to understand what you can do to avoid being hit with astronomical increases in insurance premiums.
Insurance companies consider a DUI a major infraction, which means that they will automatically raise your premiums when they see it on your record. The amount of this increase will depend on how long your DUI is on your record and the rating system used by your car insurance company.
A person who receives a conviction for aggravated DWI, DWAI or DUI in Texas will face an average of $1,500 more in insurance rates than someone who has no record of alcohol-related infractions on their record. This is a very hefty increase and one that could leave you struggling to make ends meet if you have to pay it.
Misdemeanor or Felony Conviction
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime. In fact, it’s considered a criminal offense by almost every state.
In some states, DUIs are classified as misdemeanors, but in other cases, they can be categorized as felonies. This is due to the presence of certain “aggravating factors.”
If you’ve been accused of a first-time aggravated DUI, you may face jail time and fines. Your license can also be suspended, depending on the situation.
Aggravated DUIs are more serious than regular DUIs, so it’s important to have legal representation as soon as possible after you’re arrested for this type of offense.
In Texas, a second aggravated DWI is a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine. A third aggravated DWI within ten years is a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison, a fine between $2,000 and $10,000 and license revocation for at least eighteen months.
Mandatory Alcohol Education Classes
If you are convicted of an aggravated DUI, you will likely be required to take alcohol education classes. These classes will teach you the dangers of driving under the influence, and they may also cover your state’s DUI laws.
In some states, these classes are even mandatory if you are a first-time offender. These classes usually cost about $150 and you will be responsible for paying the fees out of your own pocket.
Moreover, if you are charged with an aggravated DUI with a child in the car, it could increase your penalties even further. This could include additional jail time, as well as increased fines and driver’s license suspension.
The court will typically order you to undergo drug and alcohol screening, complete a 20-hour impaired driver education program, and attend a victim impact panel as part of your sentence. These programs are sponsored by non-profit groups and are designed to educate drivers about the negative effects of driving under the influence. They are often held in a safe environment where speakers share personal stories of their loved ones being killed by drunk drivers.
Installation of Ignition Interlock System on Your Car
As part of aggravated DUI punishments, courts may require an offender to install an ignition interlock system on any vehicle they own or operate. The requirement may last for a period of time that depends on the specific DUI charge.
For example, a first-time DUI offender with a BAC of 0.08% to 0.10% will need an ignition interlock device for three months. For a second-time DUI offender with a 0.10% to 0.20% BAC, the device will be required for seven months to one year.
Ignition interlock systems use a breath-testing device that connects to the engine of a car. It can detect the presence of alcohol before the car starts and will not allow the driver to start the vehicle if they are under the influence.
As of 2012, most states have laws requiring ignition interlock devices for multiple and certain first-time OUI offenders. These laws are designed to reduce the number of repeat offenses and prevent drunk drivers from causing accidents. Ignition interlocks have also been proven to save lives.
If you are charged with an aggravated DUI, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you fight for a less severe penalty and protect your rights throughout the legal process. We invite you to contact us or call us today if you need a help from an experienced DWI attorney. Visit our blog for more related articles.