In Rhode Island, an arrest and conviction for DUI may result in devastating civil and criminal penalties.
The following chart will break down the consequences of a DUI conviction:
1st DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTION – MISDEMEANOR
BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.08% to < 0.10% or Unknown BAC
- Fine: $100 to $300 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: up to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: 30 to 180 days drivers license suspension
- 10 to 60 hours of public community restitution
- DUI school
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement (click here to learn more about SR22 insurance).
BAC of 0.10% to < 0.15%
- Fine: $100 to $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: up to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: 3 to 12 months drivers license suspension
- 10 to 60 hours of public community restitution
- DUI school
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
BAC > 0.14%
- Fine: $500 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: up to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: 3 to 18 months drivers license suspension
- 20 to 60 hours of public community restitution
- DUI school
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
2nd DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTION – MISDEMEANOR
BAC of 0.08% < 0.15% or Unknown BAC
- Fine: $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: 10 days to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: 1 to 2 years suspension
- Ignition Interlock: May be required for 1 to 2 years
- Alcohol assessment and treatment as required
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
BAC of 0.15% or above
- Fine: minimum $1,000 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: 6 months to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: 2 years drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: May be required for 1 to 2 years
- Alcohol assessment and treatment as required
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
3rd (and any following) DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTIONS – FELONY
BAC of 0.08% to < 0.15% or Unknown BAC
- Fine: $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: 1 to 3 years in jail
- License Suspension: 2 to 3 years suspension
- Ignition Interlock: May be required for 2 years
- Alcohol assessment and treatment as required
- Possible vehicle forfeiture
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
BAC of 0.15% or above
- Fine: $1,000 to $5,000 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
- Jail: 3 to 5 years in jail
- License Suspension: 3 years suspension
- Ignition Interlock: May be required for 2 years
- Alcohol assessment and treatment as required
- Possible vehicle forfeiture
- Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement
To avoid these severe penalties associated with a DUI conviction, it is important for you to hire an experienced DUI attorney to defend your case in any DUI arrest.
If you, or someone you know, have been arrested for a DUI, a criminal defense attorney with a successful record of defending DUI cases will give you the best chance to avoid the possibly life-altering consequences of a DUI conviction.
