Rhode Island DUI Penalties

DUI Penalties in Rhode Island

Good people make mistakes too. A conviction for a Rhode Island DUI charge or Rhode Island Chemical Test Refusal charge comes with significant Rhode Island DUI penalties and potentially life-long consequences. This is why it is critical to hire an aggressive and experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you in your criminal case. All DUI attorneys are NOT the same, and the DUI penalties in drunk driving cases can vary widely depending on what DUI defense attorney defends you. I have handled thousands of DUI and breath test refusal cases in the last 30 years with tremendous success for my DUI clients. You shouldn’t leave your future in the hands of a less-experienced less experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Call Rhode Island DUI Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. today at (401) 861-1155 for your best DUI or breath test refusal defense.

Due to the potential serious personal injury and deadly results resulting from DUI motor vehicle accidents, the State takes a hard stance against drunk driving with its DUI law.

The State’s stringent laws and DUI penalties are based on age and more importantly blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.

DUI charges can result for any driver 18 years old or older, with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher.

Rhode Island DUI law is less tolerant for drunk drivers under 21 who can be charged with DUI for having a blood alcohol content of .02% or higher.

Having a seasoned criminal defense attorney handling your DUI defense puts you in a much better position to avoid the harsh penalties and loss of your driver’s license or driving privileges.

Check out the Rhode Island’s complex DUI law.

RI DUI Penalties

Penalties for a first offense Rhode Island DUI charge with blood alcohol content between .08-.10%:

• A criminal DUI conviction on your record.
• Fines ranging between $100.00 and $300.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Suspension of driving privileges for one month to six months.
• 10-60 hours of community service.
• DUI school or alcohol counseling classes.

Penalties for a first offense Rhode Island DUI charge with a blood alcohol content between .10-.15%:

• A criminal DUI conviction on your record.
• Fines ranging between $100.00 and $500.00, plus court costs and assessments totaling around $1000.00.
• Driver’s license suspension for three (3) to six (6) months.
• 10-60 hours of community service.
• DUI school or alcohol counseling classes.

Penalties for a first offense Rhode Island DUI charge with Unknown blood alcohol content (Client refused the breathalyzer test):

• A criminal DUI conviction on your record.
• Fines ranging between $100.00 and $500.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Suspension of your driver’s license for three (3) to six (6) months.
• 10-60 hours of community service.
• DUI school or alcohol counseling classes.

Penalties for a first offense Rhode Island DUI charge with a blood alcohol content between .10-.15%:

• A criminal DUI conviction on your record.
• Fines ranging between $100.00 and $500.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Driver’s license suspension for three (3) to six (6) months.
• 10-60 hours of community service.
• DUI school or alcohol counseling classes.

Penalties for second offense DUI charges – second time offender within five years with a blood alcohol content unknown or a blood alcohol content between .08-.15%:

• Criminal DUI conviction on your record
• Mandatory ten (10) days in jail.
• 1 year Probation
• Fine of $400.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Driver’s license suspension for up to two (2) years.
• Alcohol counseling or drug treatment
• Possible installation of an ignition interlock system for up to two years.

Penalties for second offense DUI charges – second time offender within five years with a blood alcohol content unknown or a blood alcohol content above .15%:

• Criminal DUI conviction on your record
• Mandatory six (6) months in jail.
• 1 year Probation
• Fine of $1,000.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Driver’s License suspended between two (2) to five (5) years.
• Alcohol or drug treatment
• Possible installation of an ignition interlock system for up to two years.

Penalties for a third offense DUI charges – third time offender within five years with a blood alcohol content unknown or a blood alcohol content between .08-.15%:

• Criminal DUI conviction on your record
• Mandatory six (6) months days in jail.
• 1 year Probation
• Fine of $1,000.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Driver’s license suspended for up to two (2) years.
• Alcohol counseling or drug treatment
• Installation of an ignition interlock for up to two years.

Penalties for a first offense breathalyzer test refusal (chemical test refusal) charges:

• Fines between $200.00 and $500.00, plus court costs and assessments.
• Community Service between 10 hours 60 hours.
• Suspension of driving privileges between 6 and 12 months.
• Mandatory attendance and completion of DUI school or alcohol treatment.

Penalties for a second offense breath test refusal charge within five years:

• A criminal breathalyzer refusal conviction on your record.
• Fines between $600.00 and $1000.00 plus court costs and assessments.
• Driver’s license suspended between 1 and 2 years.
• 60 hours to 100 hours of community service.
• Mandatory alcohol counseling or drug treatment.

Penalties for a DUI resulting in serious bodily injury or death:

• FelonyDUI conviction on your record
• Jail sentence between 5 years and 15 years
• Fine between $5,000.00 $10,000.00, plus costa and assessments.
• Driver’s license revoked for 5 years
• Enrollment in an alcohol treatment program

Since 2015, Rhode Island has allowed hardship licenses which allow a person convicted of drunk driving or a breathalyzer refusal charge to operate a motor vehicle to and from work or school during limited hours and with an ignition interlock device. Another reason why it is so important to hire an experienced and aggressive RI DUI lawyer who knows the in’s and out’s of Rhode Island’s complicated DUI law. Check out hardship licenses.

Why Hire Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. To Defend DUI Charges:

• Former Rhode Island State Prosecutor
• Judges, Lawyers and Police Officers refer family and friends
• 30 years of experience in Rhode Island criminal law with a concentration in DUI arrests
• 300+ Five Star online reviews across all platforms
• Aggressive, experienced and personal representation of all clients charged with drunk driving
• My law office has strong and long-standing relationships with all Rhode Island Judges and prosecutors
• My goal in every criminal case is DISMISSAL and then EXPUNGEMENT of all charges from your criminal record and driving record.
• I will be the DUI lawyer reviewing and overseeing your case and I will be the DUI attorney standing next to you in court. Unlike so many other Rhode Island Criminal Defense firms, I do NOT send associates to do my job. I am in criminal court every day of the week, and I strongly believe each DUI client deserves this personal service.
• I copy every client on every single document coming into the law office, or leaving the office, regarding their DUI charges. I think it is critical for every client to be well-informed and fully engaged in the process. Defending your criminal DUI case is truly a team effort.
• All calls and emails will be returned by me, not an associate, within a few hours of receiving the email or call.
• I provide a free and comprehensive initial consultation in all new DUI cases.
• I am available 24/7/365

If you have been charged with a DUI in Rhode Island and need an experienced Rhode Island DUI Lawyer call S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. for a free consultation.