DUI Law in Alabama

What is a DUI?

Are you facing a costly DUI in Alabama? 

DUI, which refers to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is a criminal offense that can lead to weighty consequences. Also known as DWI, the process of going to court to face either conviction or exoneration can change the course of your life forever.

Learn more about your DUI law defense options below, and then talk to a local attorney who will help you in this delicate situation. You don’t have to stare down consequences alone. You can take wise steps today to protect your interests.

Possible Consequences of an Alabama DUI Conviction

Where you live, the severity of the incident, and your criminal record determine the sentencing for a DUI. The punishments can drastically increase if you have had previous DUIs, so be mindful of that. If this is your first DUI, do not go at it alone and risk costly mistakes. Get an Alabama law firm on your side to fight for you and your rights.

Here are some of the possible high costs and common punishments you may experience if convicted following a DUI arrest.

Paying Fines

If convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Alabama, you can count on fines being a part of your sentencing. The fees or penalties can start at $600 and stretch as high as $10,100 for repeat offenders. However, other factors can drastically increase the amount you must pay, including:

  • Any damage to property while driving under the influence
  • If someone suffered injuries as a result of your intoxicated driving
  • Cases that include child endangerment
  • Any court costs associated with your case

The fines you owe following a conviction can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on your case. But you face costly jail time?

Jail Time

In several states, jail time is mandatory, even for first-time offenders. If this is your first DUI offense, you may only have to face a day or two in jail. But if you have previous convictions for DUIs, you can receive a sentence of several months to over a year in prison. Know that some circumstances can add even more time in a cell, including injury to other people while driving under the influence.

Your first DUI violation in Alabama can give you up to one year in jail, a fine anywhere from $600 to $2,100, or both. Penalties increase with each violation for fees and potential jail time.

For example, your fourth DUI is a felony in Alabama and comes with a mandatory 30 days in jail time and a minimum payment of $4,100. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency may install an ignition interlock device that prevents you from starting your car after drinking.

Probation

If you do not face jail time, you will likely be on probation, with the sentencing judge determining the duration. You will pay monthly fees, and you cannot commit any more criminal offenses, including traffic violations. If you violate the terms of your probation, count on facing time behind bars.

After a DUI conviction in Alabama, you will spend at least two years on probation. The original sentence can become reinstated at any time if you violate the conditions of your freedom. The mandatory minimum for any violation is five days, but you can add as much as ten years for committing a felony. Even a technical violation that doesn’t reach the level of committing a new crime can land you in jail for three days.

Drug and Alcohol Education Program

After an DUI conviction, the law requires you to complete a drug and alcohol education program. These courses focus on the risks and consequences of driving under the influence and come with additional fees beyond your existing legal expenses.

As part of the program, you’ll undergo a DUI evaluation, where an evaluator assesses how alcohol or drugs impact your life. If they determine you’re dependent, you may need to complete a substance abuse treatment program before being eligible to reinstate your driver’s license.

Suspension or Loss of License

No matter where you may face a DUI conviction, you have to undergo a license suspension period, at the very least. If it is your first DUI, you may have a license suspension for a few months while you go through probation and the drug and alcohol education program.

If this is not your first DUI, you may have your license suspended for much longer, or you could have it taken from you permanently.

What Should You Do When Charged With a DUI in Alabama?

If you’re facing a felony DUI charge, you must take the following steps to protect yourself:

Step 1: Contact an Attorney Familiar With Alabama DUI Law

Immediately following your DUI arrest, you need to contact an experienced Alabama  DUI attorney. Your attorney can help prepare for your arraignment and prepare a defense to vindicate yourself or reduce the sentencing.

Step 2: Learn About Your State’s DUI Laws

Each state, including Alabama, has unique laws for DUI or DWI charges. Your lawyer will work with you to help you better understand your state’s laws on driving while intoxicated. It is critical to understand what charges you face and the potential outcomes of your case. 

Step 3: Request a DMV Hearing

In Alabama, you have a short amount of time to ask for a DMV hearing to keep your license leading up to your court appearance. If you do not request a hearing, prepare for a license suspension. You or your attorney should request a hearing as soon as possible following your arrest.

In Alabama, you only have ten days to request a hearing from the notice date on the DMV’s letter. That time includes weekends and holidays, so you or your lawyer have to take action quickly.

Step 4: Prepare for Court Appearance

You and your attorney will prepare for your court appearance and arraignment. If you plead “not guilty,” your DUI defense attorney represents you in court, and a judge and jury oversee the DUI law case.

Step 5: Receive Sentencing or Exoneration

You will either be “not guilty” of the charges brought against you and walk free, or you will receive sentencing for a guilty verdict.

Work with an Experienced Local DUI Lawyer in Alabama

Should you ever find yourself charged with a DUI, you need to work with an experienced Alabama lawyer who can stand up for you in court.

You cannot clear your name of the charges or reduce the consequences without help. Your life and future depend on having great legal representation during your DUI case. Contact an attorney near you in Alabama today. We can even help you connect with legal help across Alabama state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.

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