Penalties
DUI penalties: the fines, jail and license loss you face
You were charged with a DUI and you want to know what your state can do to you. The driver agency can suspend your license first, often within weeks, before any court date.
A professional answers 24/7, reviews your case free, and walks through your state's fines, jail and suspension.
The table
Each figure is the base range. A high BAC, a child in the car or a crash moves you up, so tell the lawyer about each one.Compare first and second offense by state
State First offense fine First offense jail Second offense Alabama $600 to $2,100 ask on the call ask on the call Arizona $250 base fine minimum 24 hours to 10 days $500 base fine; minimum 30 days to 90 days California $390 to $1,000 plus penalty assessments 96 hours to 6 months without probation; 48 hours (optional) to 6 months with 3 to 5 years of probation ask on the call Colorado $600 to $1,000 for a first DUI; $200 to $500 for a first DWAI 5 days to 1 year for a first DUI; 2 to 180 days for a first DWAI 10 days to 1 year and $600 to $1,500 with one prior Florida $500 to $1,000; $1,000 to $2,000 if BAL was .15 or higher or a minor was in the car not more than six months; not more than nine months at .15 or with a minor $1,000 to $2,000; at least 10 days if within five years of a prior conviction Georgia $300 to $1,000 ask on the call ask on the call Illinois up to $2,500 possible imprisonment up to one year minimum five-year loss of privileges and mandatory five days in jail or 240 hours of community service Iowa ask on the call 48 hours to 1 year ask on the call Kansas $750 to $1,000 ask on the call ask on the call Louisiana $300 to $1,000 ask on the call ask on the call Maryland up to $1,200 ask on the call ask on the call Massachusetts $500 to $5,000 up to 2½ years ask on the call Michigan up to $500 (BAC below .17) up to 93 days (BAC below .17) ask on the call Nevada $400 to $1,000 2 days to 6 months, or 48 to 96 hours of community service ask on the call New Hampshire at least $500 ask on the call ask on the call New Jersey $250 to $400 at the lower BAC band ask on the call 48 hours to 90 days, 30 days of community service, 1 to 2 years suspension with interlock New York $500 to $1,000 for DWI up to 1 year for DWI second DWI in 10 years is an E felony: $1,000 to $5,000, up to 4 years, revoked at least one year North Carolina up to $200 at Level Five 24 hours to 60 days at Level Five, which can be suspended Level One: fine up to $4,000 and 30 days to 24 months North Dakota at least $500 ask on the call ask on the call Ohio $565 to $1,075 3 days in a row, or a driver intervention program ask on the call Oregon at least $1,000 ask on the call ask on the call Pennsylvania $300 none set for the lowest tier; up to 6 months of probation 12 month license suspension, 5 days to 6 months jail, $300 to $2,500 fine Rhode Island $100 to $300 at the lowest BAC tier ask on the call ask on the call Texas up to $2,000 up to 180 days, with 3 mandatory days up to $4,000; 1 month to a year Vermont up to $750 ask on the call ask on the call Virginia at least $250 5 more days at a BAC of 0.15 to 0.20; 10 above 0.20 a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and at least one month in jail, ten days of it mandatory Washington ask on the call 24 consecutive hours to 364 days (or 15 days of home monitoring) ask on the call
Fines
The court fine is only one part of the total cost. New Jersey adds a $230 IDRC fee, $100 to the drunk driving fund, $100 to AERF and $75 to a neighborhood fund. It also charges a surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years (New Jersey MVC). Massachusetts adds a $250 assessment.
Jail
Arizona sets a first-offense minimum of 24 hours, rising to at least 30 days for a second (Arizona DPS). Texas allows up to 180 days for a first DWI, with 3 mandatory days. Massachusetts allows up to two and one-half years.
Suspension
Suspensions come from two places. The driver agency acts first, often within weeks. The court adds its own period after a conviction. In Michigan, a first offense below .17 means up to 180 days and 6 points (Michigan State Police). See the DMV hearing for the first of the two.
What adds time
A high BAC, a child in the car, a crash, or a refusal increases every penalty listed above. A prior conviction is the biggest one. New York makes a second DWI within 10 years an E felony with up to 4 years (New York DMV). See when a DUI is a felony.
Questions people ask
What are the consequences of a DUI?
A fine, a license suspension, a class, often probation, and in some states jail. There are also costs outside court: an interlock, higher insurance, and a record that shows up on background checks.
How much is a DUI fine?
It depends on the state and the BAC. Texas adds a state fine of $3,000 or more at sentencing on top of the court fine.
How much jail time for a DUI?
For a first offense, from none to a few days in most states. Arizona sets at least 24 hours. A second offense raises it: at least 30 days in Arizona and 1 month in Texas.
Does a DUI go on your driving record?
Yes. Michigan adds 6 points to your license for a first offense. The conviction also stays on your criminal record unless your state lets you clear it.
Read next: Your first DUI · A second DUI · What a DUI costs
What to do now
You are facing DUI penalties that can mean a fine, jail time and a lost license. The court fine is only one part, and your license can be suspended before your court date. Call now so a DUI defense lawyer can file your license hearing request before the deadline and ask for the police records.
Ask about my penalties (877) 317-9931
A professional answers 24/7, reviews your case free, and walks through your state's fines, jail and suspension.
Send your case details
Send your state, your BAC if you know it, and any crash, refusal, prior conviction or child in the car. Those facts move your penalty range, so having them ready lets the review start on your real numbers.