What Happens After Someone Is Arrested on DUI Charges

Posted by Alex Moses on November 28th, 2020

Drunk driving can bring serious negative consequences on your way. It is better to have a clear understanding on what would happen when you are arrested under DUI charges. If you are already arrested, this article will help you to understand the next steps that you need to take. But if you are not arrested, you can figure out the process and try to refrain from getting behind the steering wheel when you are under the influence.

The bail process when arrested on DUI charges

When you are arrested, you will come across the need to get out as soon as possible. However, the bail process is not so straightforward. That’s because the court would usually refuse to release you on bail. You might be asked to provide a financial guarantee, to assure that you will be making an appearance in front of the court on your case scheduled date.

The bail would assign an amount and you will need to pay that amount when you are being released from the police custody. However, you should also make a promise to appear in the court on your case days. If you do, the bail amount will be refunded. If you don’t appear in the courts, you will be arrested. In such a situation, you will not be able to claim the bail amount as well.

What penalties will you have to face?

Once you are arrested on DUI charges, you will need to pay a sizeable fine and the court costs. On top of that, the driving license of you will be revoked for a specific period of time. However, the penalties would vary from one state to another. For example, in some of the states. The first time offenders are usually mandated to serve a jail time as well. Or else, you will be put on a probation period. During this time period, you will have to engage on community service.

How to get back your license?

In most of the states, you will not be able to get back the license upon the completion of revocation period. When you try to get back the license, you will be asked to go through a learning program. This is where you should attend the lessons offered by a defensive driving school.

During this process, a counselor will carefully examine you as well and get to know about the alcohol abuse issues or alcohol dependency related issues that you are dealing with. That report would even contribute towards the possibility that you have to get back the license. On top of that, the behavior of you on the defensive driving class can increase your chances of getting the license.

You might be asked to insert an ignition interlock device

Even if you complete all these steps, some of the states would still ask you to place an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. After that, you will not be able to start your vehicle if the device notices alcohol on your breath. This kind of a device is expensive. However, you will be asked to buy a one by spending money out of your pocket.

You will also be asked to buy the DR-22 insurance

In some of the states, you will be asked to spend money out of your pocket and purchase the SR-22 insurance, so that you can get your vehicle back on the road. This insurance policy is associated with high premiums.

To reduce the extent of these penalties, you should always work along with a reputed DUI attorney. The DUI attorney would evaluate your case and provide you the chance to overcome all frustrating situations that you have to go through.