Reader’s Question:

I just got out of jail after a DUI arrest in Washington, DC because my father posted bail and I know I have a fighting chance of winning my case. But if I will be convicted for DUI, what are the penalties involved and how can I get my license reinstated?

Bernard

Washington, DC

The penalties for DUI in Washington, DC are quite severe because DUI can be so deadly. Remember that DUI is a criminal offense and not just a traffic ticket. It is being handled by the courts and the police rather than the Department of Motor Vehicles. The penalties for DUI would increase if you don’t learn your lesson the first time in order to keep you off the road.

In Washington, DC, the penalty for first DUI offense would include a fine of $300 and up to 90 days of jail time. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is between 0.20% and 0.25%, the mandatory minimum sentence is five days behind bars. If your BAC is above 0.25%, the mandatory minimum sentence is 10 days in jail. Along with these mandatory minimum sentences, your driver’s license will be revoked for six months.

So that you can get your driver’s license reinstated after a suspension, you have to wait for the suspension period to expire and pay a reinstatement fee. But you could not get back a license that was revoked. If that happens, you have to apply for a brand new license after a hearing has been held to determine if you are eligible to be allowed back behind the wheel.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties