Sentences You Can Expect for a DUI or DWI

You may be wondering what is the worst case scenario for getting a DUI, beyond just the fines and fees. The sentence for a DUI will range widely depending on if this is your first DUI, if there was an accident, and if anyone involved was hurt. The sentencing judge on your DUI can select from punishments including jail time, house arrest (with and without work release), probation, and community service.

Jail Time

It is fairly standard for those convicted of a DUI to spend at least a weekend in jail at a minimum security facility. Typically you are allowed turn yourself into police custody Friday evening and then released Sunday. Some states and cities even have programs that allow you to attend a weekend DUI program instead of serving your time in an actual jail cell. But these programs often have a moderate fee, $300-$500, associated with them. If this is your second conviction you may be faced with a mandatory jail stay of 7-30 days, but this can often be negotiated down to house arrest instead.

House Arrest

House arrest, also referred to as home confinement or electronic monitoring, is often sentenced instead of jail time to low risk individuals convicted of a DUI. Two common methods of monitoring you during house arrest are the use of a electronic tether, or of an automated calling system. If you are sentenced to house arrest with work release, you are allowed to leave your residence in order go to your job, but no other travel is allowed. But again the specifics often vary from state to state. The length of a house arrest sentence can be from 3 days for a first time offender, to upwards of 180 days for a multiple DUI offender.

Probation

Terms of a DUI probation sentence vary widely, but some of the common elements include; random drug screening, onsite check-ins with a probation officers, completions of educational classes. You will have to sign a probation contract the outlines the conditions of your probation, and any violations of the probation contract will mean that your original DUI sentence will be enforced.

Community Service

Often community service hours are sentenced in order to reduce the amount of your DUI fines or as a condition of your probation. The completion of the community service hours are normally given a deadline, and the locations that you can complete your service will depend upon the judge or probation officer.