This is a list of the potential penalties one faces if convicted of a Driving Under The Influence (DUI) charge in St. Lucie County FL (Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce). All sentences are subject to the discretion of the courts. Elevating factors can increase penalties applicable, including enhanced penalties for BAC of .15 or higher, minor present in vehicle, and if applicable, additional criminal charges stemming from the arrest, such as possession charges for certain DUI offenses involving drugs. Driving Under the Influence or DUI laws tend toward heavy penalties and tougher legislation because DUIs cause over one third of all traffic fatalities, according to Nolo. Being arrested for DUI means that a police officer found that you were driving after or while consuming alcohol. In almost every state the DUI law includes a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) was 0.08 percent or higher. The type of crime—misdemeanor or felony—depends on the circumstances at the time of the arrest. This means that a first-time arrest may be considered a misdemeanor. However, if there were injures, fatalities or if this is the third or fourth time then DUI laws may bump the misdemeanor to a felony.

Penalties upon Conviction of a Florida DUI Charge

DUI First Conviction:

• Fine: $500.00-$1,000.00 (.15% or higher: $1,000.00-$2,000.00)
• License suspension: 6 months-1 year
• Probation: 6 months-1 year
• Jail: 0 to 6 months (.15% or higher: 0 to 9 months)
• Vehicle Impoundments: at least 10 days
• Ignition device: (.15% or higher: at least 6 months)

Second DUI Conviction Within 5 Years Of Prior Conviction:

• Fine: $1,000.00-$2,000.00 (.15% or higher: $2,000.00-$4,000.00)
• License suspension: 5 years
• Probation: 1 year
• Jail: 10 days to 9 months (.15% or higher: 10 days to 1 year)
• Impoundments: at least 30 days impoundment
• Ignition device: at least 1 year (.15% or higher: at least 2 years)

Second DUI Conviction (More Than 5 years Since Last Conviction):

• Fine: $500.00 – $1,000.00 (.15% or higher: $2,000.00-$4,000.00)
• License Suspension: 6 months-1 year
• Probation: 1 year
• Jail: 0 to 9 months (.15% or higher: 0 to 12 months)
• Ignition device: at least 1 year (.15% or higher: at least 2 years)

Third DUI Conviction Within 10 years Of Prior Conviction (Felony):

• Fine: Up to $5,000.00 (.15% or higher: at least $4,000.00)
• License Suspension: 1 year
• Probation: 0 to 5 years
• Jail or Prison: 30 days County Jail – 5 Years State Prison
• Impoundments: 90 days impoundment
• Ignition device: at least 2 years

Third DUI Conviction (More Than 5 years Since Last Conviction):

• Fine: $2,000.00 – $5,000.00 (.15% or higher: at least $4,000.00)
• License Suspension: 6 months-1 year
• Probation: 1 year
• Jail: 0 to 1 year
• Ignition device: at least 2 years

Fourth DUI Conviction (Felony):

• Fine: $2,000.00 to $5,000.00 (.15% or higher: at least $4,000.00)
• License Suspension: Permanent
• Probation: 0-5 years
• Prison: 0 to 5 years

Second Refusal To Submit To DUI Breath, Blood, or Urine Test:

• Fine: Up to $1,000.00
• License Suspension: 18 months
• Probation: Up to 1 year
• Jail: Up to 1 year