If you are accused of drinking and driving, there is a good chance that your driver's license will be suspended. The length of the suspension depends on a few factors, including what you are accused of and whether you have been convicted of that same thing before.
Can my license be suspended if I don't have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher?
Yes, your driver's license can be suspended if your BAC is .05 to .08 percent. The first offense will net a 30-day suspension. A second offense is a six-month suspension and a third is a year's suspension. It is also possible that you will face time in jail or a fine.
What license suspensions are possible for a BAC of .08 percent or higher?
The license suspension for a first offense is a whopping 180 days. Subsequent offenses carry longer suspensions. The length of the suspension depends on how many prior offenses you have within a specific amount of time. For example, a second offense that is within five years of the prior offense will lead to a one-year suspension. If you have two or more DUI convictions in five years and are facing a third, a three-year suspension is likely.
Why else can my license be suspended?
You can also face driver's license suspensions for failing to take a breath test to determine your BAC, having excessive moving violations or having a drug conviction. It is also possible to get your license suspended for giving false information to a law enforcement officer or failing to stop after an accident.
If you are facing a license suspension, you might be able to get a hardship license. Exploring this possibility with your attorney, as well as learning how to fight the charges you are facing, can help you plan your future.
