It is common knowledge that most people convicted of a DUI face jail time. You may also be subject to costly fines and penalties, as well as associated court costs if you are found guilty of the charges against you. In addition to these punishments, drivers in Kentucky also face other penalties.
License suspension, mandatory attendance of alcohol programs, and even plate forfeiture are all possible if you are convicted of DUI. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you have a pending court date.
License suspension
The length of license suspension depends on a number of factors, but how many previous offenses a person has been convicted of plays a significant role. First offenses within a ten year period incur a 30 to a 120-day suspension, while suspensions for second and third offenses can span from 12 to 36 months. For a fourth offense, the suspension period is 60 months or five years. Refusing to take a breathalyzer or other tests also leads to license suspension, which is applied in the same manner as above.
Alcohol treatment programs
Alcohol treatment programs, which provide guidance on alcohol abuse and the dangers of drunk driving, must be approved by the Division of Driver Licensing or they will be rejected. Program attendance must continue for 90 days for first offenses. For second and subsequent offenses, attendance must last at least one year.
Penalties for repeat offenders
Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties to deter them from drinking and driving. In addition to their license suspension, people charged with two or more DUIs must also turn over their plates for the entire suspension period. When their driving privileges are reinstated, they may also be obligated to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles. These devices require a breath test before the vehicle can be started. If the driver has a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher, the vehicle will not start.
