MyDUIAttorney helps you understand Vermont DUI and DWI laws

If you are facing Vermont DUI prosecution, you should immediately hire a Vermont DUI lawyer without wasting any time. DUI laws in Vermont are strict, like in most other states of America and a Vermont DUI conviction can cause heavy fines and prison time. Therefore, contacting and hiring a qualified Vermont DUI lawyer who specializes in drunk driving laws and DWI (Driving While Impaired) is necessary to defend your case. Your attorney or lawyer will review your case and discuss your risks with you. He or she will also familiarize you with Vermont DWI laws, so you know what you have been charged with. MyDUIAttorney.org lists some of the common penalties and charges faced by offenders of DUI. However, the law may change from city to city and will also have different consequences, depending on your case.

Like in most other states, anyone caught with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of more than 0.08% will be charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in the state of Vermont. Similarly, for drivers under the age of 21 years, any amount of blood alcohol level will be charged with DUI.

Vermont DUI First Time Offenders

First time offenders of Vermont DUI are charged a maximum fine of $750, without any mandatory jail. However, depending on the case, the offender may have to serve up to 2 years in jail. First time offenders also have to pay a minimum of $160 as DUI Surcharges.

The offenders license is also suspended, and reinstatement depends on completion of an alcohol and driving education program, along with drug and alcohol treatment, assessment and therapy program.

In Vermont, the “look-back” period for any DUI case is taken as the offenders entire lifetime, which means that if a person has ever been charged before for DUI in any other state, he or she will not be considered a first time offender in Vermont, and hence the charges and penalties will be different than those of first time offenders.

Vermont DUI Second Time Offenders

Second time offenders can be charged fines up to $1500 along with $160 minimum DUI Surcharges. The offenders driver’s license is suspended for 18 months and he or she can be jailed for up to 2 years. Prison time can be exchanged with minimum 200 hours of community service. In second time offenses, license reinstatement depends on completion of alcohol and driving rehabilitation program.

Vermont DUI Third Time Offenders

Third time offenders can be fined a maximum of $2500 along with minimum $160 DUI Surcharges. The offender may have to serve a maximum of 5 years in jail, depending on the case, which can be exchanged with 400 hours of community service. The offenders drivers license is suspended for 3 years, which is reinstated only after completion of a drug and alcohol therapy program and abstinence from drugs and alcohol, which has $500 application fee associated with it.

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