Getting a DUI in any state is going to be a big problem, but it can be a major headache if you get one in a state that is strict on drunk drivers, resulting in Springfield DUI lawyers (and others like them) to be contacted. Below, we take a look at the five worst states for DUI offenders.
5. Oregon – Oregon is one state where the DUI offender is hammered with fees, fines and court costs. For example, the minimum first time DUI fine is $1,000, so you’re already looking at a four-figure fine. But that’s not all. The state also tacks on a $40 assessment fee, a $130 drunk driving program fee, a $95 unitary assessment fee, a $59 count assessment fee and a $90 diagnostic fee. We did the math, that’s $1,414.
4. South Carolina – In recent years, South Carolina has found itself near the top of a list no state wants to be on – Most DUIs per capita. To combat this, the state has upped DUI laws to crack down on drunk drivers. DUI offenders will face a minimum of two days in jail, unless the judge opts for community service. If the driver blows a 0.16 or above, he or she will face a minimum of 30 days in jail.
3. California – Getting a DUI in California is such a headache that you’ll need a daily planner to figure out all the steps you’ll need to complete. First, you’ll need to request a hearing with the DMV within 10 days of your arrest, otherwise your license will be automatically suspended. After you’ve stopped by the DMV, you’ll have to try your hand in court. California doesn’t make it easy to get out of a DUI charge either, as you can still be charged with drunk driving even if you passed the physical roadside tests, but your BAC registered above the legal limit. The court will hand down the fines and jail time, while the DMV will decide what happens to your license.
2. Illinois – Similar to South Carolina, Illinois has stepped up DUI laws in order to combat troubling DUI statistics. If you’re placed under arrest for DUI in Illinois, the officer can immediately suspend your license for six months. You get a 45-day grace period to get your affairs in order, but after a month and a half, you’ll be without a license for at least six months. Someone who contests a first-time DUI charge in Illinois can expect the total bill to come to about $14,000, unless they beat the charge. That number a rough average of what DUI offenders spend on fines, court fees, attorney fees, license reinstatement fees and increased insurance costs.
1. Arizona – Arizona tops the list of the states with the strictest DUI laws so you need to find yourself a good lawyer if you get charged. For example, Udall Shumway can help with a DUI in Tempe, Arizona. If you are convicted of a DUI in Arizona, be prepared to shell out hundreds of dollars in fines, and the state requires that you install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, even for your first offense. This means you’ll have to pay to rent the device, pay to have it installed, and pay the monthly maintenance fees. This is why speaking to someone like Robert Dodell, DUI Attorney can be a very useful step in creating your defense. If you have a particularly high BAC at the time of your DUI arrest, you’ll be sentenced to 45 days in jail, and that penalty cannot be waved by the judge.
If you’re in New Jersey and need a lawyer for a DUI charge, you may want to consider contacting the lawyers at https://newjerseycriminallawattorney.com/dui-drunk-driving/.
Related source: Lawyers.com
