DUI Penalties State by State

DUI Penalty Definitions

In all states, if you are pulled over with a BAC of .08 or higher, you will be convicted of a DUI. Some penalties that follow a DUI conviction are:

  • Administrative license suspension – your license is taken immediately if you fail or refuse to take a chemical test (enforced in 41 states).
  • Ignition interlocks – installed in your car and disable your  ignition if you have been drinking (enforced in 45 states).

State DUI Penalties

  1. Drivers must demonstrate special hardship to justify restoring privileges during suspension.
  2. First offender program in 4 counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare.
  3. Ignition interlock is mandatory unless waived due to financial hardship.
  4. In New York, administrative license suspension lasts until prosecution is complete.
  5. In Texas, an ignition interlock is mandatory for first offense high-BAC as a condition of suspending the jail sentence.
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