Being arrested and charged with a DUI in Alabama on spring break, or any other time, can be stressful. If this is the first time and you don’t know what to expect, that stress can turn into a lot of fear. With Spring Break approaching, the number of DUIs is sure to skyrocket in Alabama. Be safe in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach over the Spring Break and Summer. Be sure not to drink and drive, but if you find yourself in this awful predicament, here are a few things you should know.
What about DUI convictions in another state?
If I have prior DUI convictions in another state, Alabama courts can, and usually do, take those prior convictions into account when determining DUI sentencing in Alabama. So, have fun on the Gulf Coast this Spring Break, but be sure to have a designated driver or an alternative way home. Don’t drink and drive!
Does a DUI conviction mean jail time?
The first question most clients ask is, “if I’m convicted of a DUI, will I go to jail?” The reality is the law authorizes jail time for a DUI, even for the first offense. However, not every conviction results in a jail sentence. Here are the possible sentences for a DUI in Alabama.
- First Conviction – Up to one year in a county or municipal jail, but no minimum mandatory jail sentence.
- Second Conviction – A minimum of 48 consecutive hours in jail. You could be sentenced to up to one year in jail, or not less than 20 days of community service.
- Third Conviction – For a third conviction within a 5 year time period, there is a mandatory 60 day jail sentence, which cannot be suspended or probated. You can face up to one year of jail time in a municipal of county jail.
- Fourth or Subsequent Conviction – For a fourth or subsequent conviction within five years, you will be charged with a Class C Felony with a sentence of 1 to 10 years.
If you have questions regarding DUIs, or any other criminal defense matters, please contact Ketcham Law for a consultation by calling us at (205) 296-4233.
