Kentucky is home to multiple distilleries, wineries and other places where alcohol is common and prevalent. Though much of the state is made up of “dry” counties, it’s still common to see people get stopped and arrested for drinking and driving.
If you have a history of DUIs and are stopped and accused of driving drunk, you may not be sure what to do next. On one hand, you know that you can defend yourself and that it’s possible to get the charges dropped. On the other, you know that you need to be aware of the potential penalties, because there is a risk that you could be dealing with them in the future.
Not your first DUI? Here’s what to expect
If this is not your first DUI, then you can expect the penalties to be harsher. However, if your DUIs are spread out by 10 years or longer, you may not have to face as harsh of penalties as those who have them close together.
For example, if you had a first-offense DUI in 2010 and now are accused of a DUI in 2022, they’re far enough apart that you may be charged as if it’s a first offense again.
If they’re closer together, then you should expect the penalties to be heightened. For example, a second offense within 10 years leads to a year of alcohol and substance abuse treatment with an 18-month suspension of your license. This is compared to a first offense that comes with a six-month license suspension and 90 days of treatment.
If this is a third offense, expect at least a year of alcohol or substance abuse treatment combined with 36 months for your license suspension. For a fourth offense, you’ll still need a year of treatment but have a 60-month license suspension.
Beyond that, it’s not as straightforward to determine the penalties you could face, so it’s valuable to talk to someone who understands the laws and is familiar with the court system. In any case, you’ll want to fight back against the accusations to minimize the risk of getting a DUI in the first place.