After a DUI arrest, you need to hire a DUI lawyer Sacramento  right away to start building your defense. The consequences are severe if convicted. Here are the punishments on the table for a first DUI offense.

Suspended License

For a first conviction, the state will suspend the person’s license for six months. It is possible to get a restricted license, which will allow you to drive to school and work, but you should hire a suspended license attorney to help you acquire one.

Jail Time

If convicted, a person can receive anywhere between two days and six months in jail. A judge may be lenient on a first offense. However, the person’s BAC and whether or not the driver damaged property or injured others can impact this.

Probation

Even if a driver can avoid jail time, he or she will still need to go through probation that lasts between three and five years. There will likely be conditions associated with probation. Many drivers will need to install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles, which prevent the car from starting if the driver has any alcohol in his or her system. Additionally, the person will need to go through DUI school.

Fines

For a first DUI, the driver will need to pay somewhere between $390 and $1,000 in fines. There may also be penalty assessments tacked onto the fines. This means the driver may need to pay thousands of dollars for a single offense.

Injuries and Death

When you are intoxicated, you are much more likely to end up in an accident. This can result in serious injuries to yourself and others. Many people lose their lives every year due to drunk driving.

The legal consequences for a DUI only increase with second, third and fourth offenses. Schedule a consultation with a DUI attorney right after your arrest to try to avoid as many penalties as possible.