Columbia Third Offense DUI Lawyer

A third offense DUI is a very serious charge in Columbia. If you are currently facing a third offense DUI, you may be at risk of serving a mandatory minimum jail sentence. That is why it is imperative that you contact an experienced DUI lawyer. A Columbia third offense DUI lawyer may be able to build a strong defense for you.

Multiple DUIs in a Short Time-Span

If a person had two previous DUIs in a very quick amount of time, the individual can almost guarantee that unless there is something fatal regarding the constitutional issues or video recording statute the prosecutor is not going to be favorable in negotiating a third offense DUI. They are going to want the person to try that case before a jury.

In addition to the mandatory minimum sentence, the courts are very harsh on giving out sentences because they deem the person dangerous to the public and generally have no hesitation in sentencing someone that has a third conviction for DUI to a hefty prison time.

Penalties for a Third Offense DUI

At this point, prosecutors are exponentially more likely to request jail time than in the previous two DUIs. At this point, prosecutors are almost always going to request additional jail time, but the offense itself carries a mandatory sentence just like the others. However, this is one that the prosecutors are very unlikely to try to negotiate or reduce.

If a person refuses to take a breath test or has a 0.09 or less BAC, the person is facing a $3,800 to $6,300 fine plus court costs and a minimum of 60 days in jail or up to three years in jail. If the person has a blood alcohol content of 0.10 to 0.15, the person is facing $5,000.00 to $7,500.00 in fines plus court costs and a minimum of 90 days in jail to four years in jail. Then, if a person has a BAC that’s 0.16 or higher, the person is facing $7,500.00 to $10,000.00 in fines plus court costs and the person a minimum of six months to five years in jail.

Diversion Programs or Probation for a Third Offense

The likelihood that a prosecutor offers a diversionary program for a third offense DUI is virtually non-existent. A prosecutor is also most likely not going to recommend probation. If convicted, the judge is forced to sentence a person to the mandatory minimum jail sentence. In other words, a person will have to serve jail time upon being convicted of driving under the influence for the third time.

Contacting a Columbia Third Offense DUI Lawyer

If you are facing a third offense DUI charge in Columbia you may be wanting to avoid the mandatory jail time. A lawyer is not allowed to make a guarantee of the outcome because you may be facing a mandatory minimum jail sentence and should find a trained and experienced lawyer. The best lawyer for a third offense DUI is one that has local experience, knows all the players involved like the police, the prosecutors, and the judge, and has defended against those people in those courts. That attorney is in the position to get the best possible outcome.

If you are facing such a serious charge, you may want to get a local lawyer with local experience. A Columbia third offense lawyer may be able to give you the proper legal representation that you deserve.

Columbia Third Offense DUI Lawyer