What can a person expect when they are arrested for a second DUI?

The State of Illinois takes DUIs seriously. If a person has been arrested for a DUI in Springfield or the surrounding area, they should understand that they will be facing serious consequences. The penalties for a second DUI are even more severe.

When a driver gets behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08, they are at risk of a DUI. For drivers who are under the age of 21, any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal. For commercial drivers, a blood alcohol content over .04 is considered impaired.

First DUI offense

A first DUI arrest can bring serious penalties. These may include up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, driver’s license revocation of up to one year, and vehicle registration suspension.

Second DUI offense

A second DUI can bring even more penalties for those who are convicted. These may include one year in jail, $2,500 fine, minimum jail time of 5 days or community service, driver’s license suspended for up to five years, and suspension of vehicle registration.

The penalties can be greater if children were in the car at the time of the arrest or if the driver’s BAC was over .16. If a Springfield area resident is facing a DUI, they may want to contact a legal professional who specializes in DUI defense as soon as possible. An attorney can review the circumstances surrounding the arrest and try and work out a reduced or suspended sentence if possible.