Second Offense DUI in Connecticut

Felony or Misdemeanor?

Driving under influence is a serious offense in all states and DC. DUI refers to the offense of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Generally a person will be charged with DUI if his or her blood alcohol concentration is over the legal limit. The legal blood alcohol limit across the nation is 0.08. A second DUI offense in Washington DC will be tried as a misdemeanor offense unless there are aggravating factors in which case it will be tried as a felony offense. The main difference between felony and misdemeanor offense is that conviction for a felony offense will result in an imprisonment of at least one year.

Administrative Penalties

In Washington DC when a person is arrested for DUI, his or her driver’s license will be suspended. For a second DUI offense, the license will be suspended for 1 year. The person can apply for reinstatement of the license after the period of suspension by paying a reinstatement fee. The person can request an administrative license suspension hearing within 5 days. If the person is not a resident of Washington DC, then person must make the request within 10 days.

Look Back Period

In most states, the look back period for a DUI offense is 5 years. In some states it is 10 years. However in Washington DC, it is 15 years. If the subsequent DUI offense occurs more than 15 years after the previous conviction, it will be tried as the first DUI offense.

Criminal Penalties

If you are convicted for a second offense DUI within the 15 year look back period, you can expect to pay a fine between $1000 and $5000. You will be subject to mandatory jail term. The jail term can be from 5 days to one year depending on your blood alcohol concentration. You may also have to do 30 days of community service. A second DUI conviction will also result in a license suspension for one year.

Plea Options

If you are charged with a second DUI offense in Washington DC, you can plead guilty or not guilty. A guilty plea will result in the judge passing a sentence against you. A not guilty plea will mean that the case against you will go to trial. You can request for a plea bargain wherein you can plead guilty for a lesser offense. Most judges are however reluctant to accept a plea bargain for a second DUI offense.

Get Legal Advice

If you have been charged with a second offense DUI in Washington DC, consult with an experienced Washington DC DUI attorney.