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“Driving Under the Influence” in Rhode Island is commonly known as “OUI” or “Operating Under the Influence”. The term is same as DUI and has charges similar to those of other states in the US. According to Rhode Island DUI law, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more will be charged for OUI. For drivers under the age of 21 years, any amount of alcohol level in the blood will be charged for DUI. Rhode Island also has DUI laws for Juvenal drunk driving, which include drivers under the age of 18 years. If you have been charged or convicted with drunk driving, you should immediately hire a qualified and experienced Rhode Island DUI lawyer who understands the local law, and will be able to defend your case. We have also provided information about the penalties and charges faced in any DUI case below, to help you understand what you may have to face.

First time DUI Offense

A first time DUI offense is fined between $100 up to $300 along with 3 to 6 months of license suspension. The offender has to pay $500 as license reinstatement fee and another $500 for highway safety assessment.

First time offenders with BAC over 0.15% are fined $500.

All first time offenders have to serve between 10 to 60 hours of mandatory community service, and go through an alcohol assessment and screening program as well as an alcohol and drug education and treatment program.

Rhode Island DUI for offenders aged under 21

Any level of blood alcohol in a driver aged under 21 years will be charged with DUI. However, if BAC is between 0.05 and 0.08, the driver will be convicted with “Driving While Impaired” or DWI which has similar penalties.

The offenders driving license is also suspended for 1 to 3 months, along with a fine of $150 and community service of up to 100 hours. Other fines may include a license renewal fine and a highway safety assessment test which costs $150. The judge may also recommend an alcohol drug treatment program.

Juvenal Drunk Driving charges for under 18

Drivers under the age of 18 years charged with DUI may have to face different consequences, based on their case. For BAC between 0.02 and 0.10, the offenders driver’s license is suspended for 6 months. The court may order a DWI course or an alcohol or drug treatment program, along with community service and a highway safety assessment program, which costs $150.

Drivers under the age of 18 years with BAC 0.10% or more face heavy charges, which include 6 to 18 months of license suspension. The offender has to serve minimum 10 hours of community service, up to 60 hours, along with a highway safety assessment program which costs $500, an alcohol and drug treatment program or go through driving school which costs $250.

DUI cases involving crashes, severe injuries or death face heavier penalties and charges, according to the judge’s discretion.

To fully understand the penalties associated with a Rhode Island DUI charge, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a Rhode Island DUI lawyer that you are most comfortable with and who can knowledgeably represent you throughout your trial and court proceedings.  You can find a Rhode Island drunk driving attorney by typing in the city of your arrest above or call our 24 hour DUI hotline

Additional resources

• Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicle
• Rhode Island State Bar Association