It can happen to the best of us. One night of celebration in Dayton led to you being pulled over for “erratic driving.” If it was found that your “erratic driving” was caused by you being under the influence of alcohol or a banned substance, this has a particular set of consequences in Oregon.
What penalties do you face for a first-offense DUI in Oregon?
In Oregon, a DUI is called “driving under the influence of intoxicants” or DUII. You may be convicted of a DUII if you were found to have been driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more. Specifically, if you were pulled over under suspicion of driving under the influence and have a BAC that’s over the limit within two hours of driving, this is considered a DUII. In such situations, seeking legal guidance from a first DUI attorney in Dayton can help you understand your options and navigate the legal process effectively.
If you are lawfully arrested for a DUII, there can be administrative consequences, such as a license suspension or fees. If you are convicted of a DUII, you face additional criminal penalties.
- Administrative Penalties for First DUII
Typically, this is a 90-day administrative license suspension.
- Ignition Interlock Device Installations
After your administrative license suspension period is over, you will be allowed to drive again. However, the court will require you to have an ignition interlock device (IID) isntalled in your vehicle for the period of one year. You will be responsible for paying the costs of installing and maintaining the IID.
If arrested and convicted for a DUII, aside from the administrative penalties, you also face criminal penalties.
- Jail time and Community service
A judge may sentence a first-time DUII offender to jail time or community service. A first-offender faces a jail sentence of two days to a year. Community service, meanwhile, is set at a minimum of 80 hours and a maximum of 250 hours.
- Fines and fees
The minimum fine for a first time DUII is $1,000. You will also be charged a conviction fee of $255 conviction fee. The fee will be increased to at least $2,000 if your BAC was found to be .15% or more. The maximum fine for a first-time DUII is $6,250 unless you have a passenger in your vehicle under 18 years old and at least three years older than the passenger. The maximum fine will then be $10,000.
- License Suspension
A first-time DUII conviction carries a one-year license suspension.
There is also a substance abuse screening requirement for convicted UIIs in Oregon. This screening interview aims to determine an appropriate substance abuse treatment program. You will have to pay $150 for the screening and also the cost of any recommended treatment program. Completing the recommended treatment program is often a crucial step toward license restoration, as it demonstrates compliance with legal requirements. You will need to complete any program recommended by the screening interviewer.
The court may also order you to attend a “victim impact” treatment session. You will shoulder the cost of that session which range from $5 to $50.
What is Oregon’s DUII Diversion Program?
Oregon has a DUII diversion program for drivers who plead “guilty” or “no contest” to a DUII charge. Most first-offense DUIIs can qualify for these programs, which will require them to pay a few penalties and attend a few treatment programs but get their case dismissed after a year.
To get into a DUI diversion program, you and your lawyer need to file a petition to the court requesting to be in the program. This petition must be filed within 30 days of being charged with a DUI and will incur a $490 filing fee.
Suppose you are placed in a DUII diversion program. In that case, you make a one-year agreement with the court to complete a substance abuse treatment program, attend a victim impact treatment session, refrain from drinking alcohol or using drugs illegals, and install and maintain an IID.
Why you need a lawyer who knows Oregon’s DUII laws
As you can see, getting arrested and charged for a first-time DUII in Oregon is not quite as simple as it looks. With a commitment to legal excellence, a reputable attorney will help you navigate the legal system quickly and minimize your fines and penalties.
If you are looking for your first DUI attorney dayton, you need to find one quickly so they can determine whether you are better off filing to be placed in a DUI diversion program or pleading your innocence in court. An experienced DUI lawyer can also help ensure that any fees or penalties you end up paying are minimalized and your rights are safeguarded.
Gounaris Abboud is a trusted name in Dayton for DUI attorneys, with over 50 years of experience helping first-time DIU offenders in Oregon face their charges while ensuring that it doesn’t ruin their future or severely impact their finances or their ability to function in the community. They offer free consultation and case reviews, so reaching out to ask about your DUII case is the first and best step to ensuring your one-time mistake doesn’t result in life-long consequences.
