DWI Jail Time

For most people who are charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), the experience marks their first encounter with law enforcement. Despite a flawless criminal record, however, most states impose mandatory minimum penalties for a DWI conviction—and these guidelines often include DWI jail time.

In addition to spending time behind bars, the penalties for a DWI conviction may include hundreds of dollars in fines, as well as a lengthy license suspension, community service, probation, and any other punishment the judge feels is appropriate (such as alcohol counseling, DWI school, or installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle). What’s more, these penalties only increase for repeat offenders.

Depending on the circumstances of your offense, you may face additional penalties for drinking and driving. Many states enforce tougher sentencing guidelines in cases that involve driving with an excessively high blood alcohol content (BAC), transporting a child, or causing an accident.

It is also important to keep in mind that, while the federal BAC limit is 0.08%, most states impose lower limits for drivers under the age of 21. Known as zero tolerance laws, these laws often restrict minors from operating a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their system. As a result, even an extremely low BAC can warrant a drunk driving arrest if you are underage.

Because the majority of states have Implied Consent laws, you may also face criminal charges if you refuse to perform a breathalyzer or other chemical test. In fact, in some areas, the penalties for refusing a chemical test are just as severe as they are for failing.

While the exact penalties for a DWI conviction vary according to state law, the minimum sentence often includes mandatory jail time. If this is your first offense, your time behind bars may be suspended in lieu of probation. However, if you do not successfully complete the terms of your probation, the court is likely to impose the maximum penalties allowed under state law.

With all of the consequences associated with a drunk driving conviction, it is imperative to obtain legal representation immediately if you are ever arrested for DWI. Check your local listings to find an attorney who specializes in DWI defense. In many cases, having a strong defense strategy can be the difference between a conviction and getting your charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—discuss your case with an experienced drunk driving defense attorney in your area today.

States and Cities:
AK	Alaska, Anchorage	LA	Louisiana, New Orleans	OH	Ohio, Cincinnati
AL	Alabama, Montgomery	MA	Massachusetts, Boston	OK	Oklahoma, Tulsa
AR	Arkansas, Little Rock	MD	Maryland, Baltimore	OR	Oregon, Portland
AZ	Arizona, Phoenix	ME	Maine, Portland	PA	Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
CA	California, Los Angeles	MI	Michigan, Detroit	RI	Rhode Island, Providence
CO	Colorado, Denver	MN	Minnesota, Duluth	SC	South Carolina, Charleston
CT	Connecticut, Hartford	MO	Missouri, Branson	SD	South Dakota, Sioux Falls
DE	Delaware, Wilmington	MS	Mississippi, Jackson	TN	Tennessee, Nashville
FL	Florida, Orlando	MT	Montana, Bozeman	TX	Texas, Houston
GA	Georgia, Atlanta	NC	North Carolina, Charoltte	UT	Utah, Salt Lake City
HI	Hawaii, Honolulu	ND	North Dakota, Fargo	VT	Vermont, Burlington
IA	Iowa, Des Moines	NE	Nebraska, Omaha	VA	Virginia, Richmond
ID	Idaho, Boise	NH	New Hampshire, Portsmouth	WA	Washington, Seattle
IL	Illinois, Chicago	NJ	New Jersey, Newark	WI	Wisconsin, Milwaukee
IN	Indiana, Indianapolis	NM	New Mexico, Albuquerque	WV	West Virginia, Charleston
KS	Kansas, Kansas City	NV	Nevada, Las Vegas	WY	Wyoming, Cheyenne
KY	Kentucky, Lexington	NY	New York, New York	DC	Washington DC