Penalties for Third Offense DUI Charges in Summerville

The penalties for a third DUI are more severe than those for a first or second offense. Courts do not take these cases lightly, and you could be looking at significant prison time and fines.

Do not attempt to handle a third offense DUI alone. If you are facing charges, reach out to a skilled DUI lawyer right away. A knowledgeable attorney could help you understand and potentially mitigate the penalties for third offense DUI charges in Summerville.

Possible Penalties Can Be Severe

Penalties for a third offense DUI are broken down into three categories and are dependent on the breath test. If someone either does not provide a breath sample or is under 0.10, the mandatory minimum in jail is 60 days, and the maximum is three years. There is also a minimum fine of $3,800 and a maximum fine of $6,300, although an attorney could help lower this fine.

For a DUI where the breathalyzer test came back between 0.10 and 0.15, the mandatory minimum is 90 days in jail with a maximum of 44 years, with a minimum fine of $5,000 and a maximum fine of $7,500.

For a DUI third offense with a breath test above 0.16, the mandatory minimum is six months in jail with a maximum of five years and a fine between $7,500 and $10,000. For all DUI third offenses, a mandatory ignition interlock device must be placed on the driver’s car for four years.

Aggravating Factors

Several factors can increase the penalties for a DUI charge. Higher breathalyzer levels carry higher penalties, as do repeat offenses. If minors are in the vehicle, there is an extra charge of child endangerment that increases with each additional DUI. A Summerville attorney could help an individual facing third offense DUI charges build a strong defense and potentially mitigate the associated penalties.

License Suspension After a Third DUI in Summerville

After a third offense DUI, a person’s license is suspended indefinitely. The defendant will have to have an ignition interlock device placed on their vehicle for four years and attend the Alcohol and Drug Safety Program (ADSAP.). Once an individual has attended the ADSAP program and has their ignition interlock device on their car for four years, they would then be able to get their license fully back.

A defendant would need to be convicted before having their license suspended. However, if someone refuses the breathalyzer test, there is also a suspension based on that refusal. This suspension could be administratively appealed but must be done within 30 days, which is why it is imperative to get an attorney working on a third offense DUI case as soon as possible.

Getting a License Back

There are legal options for getting a license back available to a person charged with the DUI third offense, so long as they have not used them in the past. An example is a restricted license. Someone can only get a restricted license once in their life, so this option may be available to them if they have not used it before.

If an individual is acquitted of a DUI, they will want to check with the DMV and see what other types of suspensions they have and what they need to do to get their license back based on the other suspensions. If the person has no other suspensions or they are taken care of, they should have no issues with their license. A knowledgeable local attorney could help someone facing third offense DUI charges to explore their legal avenues for regaining a license.

Discuss Penalties for a Third Offense DUI with a Dedicated Summerville Attorney

The consequences of a third DUI can be costly and lifelong. If you are facing criminal charges and are unsure of what to do next, reach out to our office today. A skilled legal professional could walk you through the penalties for third offense DUI charges in Summerville and work with you to build a strong defense for your case. Call now to get started.

Summerville Third Offense DUI Lawyer