In Florida, like many other states, the legal BAC for an average driver over the age of 21 is 0.08%. Operating a vehicle with an illegal BAC will lead to penalties that could cause you financial difficulties later.
Under most circumstances, a DUI is considered a misdemeanor, particularly if it’s a first-time conviction and no one was injured as a result. Penalties for first-time DUI misdemeanors could include:
- A $500–$1,000 fine
- 50 hours of community service
- 1 year probation
- Attendance of an alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program
- 6 months in jail
- Impounding of the vehicle for 10 days, unless it is used for family transportation
These punishments tend to be heavier the higher your BAC was at the time of arrest. For example, with a BAC of 0.15%, the fine increases from the amount listed above to a larger range—$1,000–$2,000. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI before, the penalties will also increase for each subsequent charge. However, if you’ve been accused of a DUI a 3rd time, and the 2nd time occurred within the past 10 years, your misdemeanor becomes a felony. A 4th DUI conviction is also considered an automatic felony. If someone incurred serious bodily injury as a result of alcohol-impaired driving, the charge would also be a felony, rather than a misdemeanor (even if it’s the first and only DUI charge). Someone facing a 4th DUI would be accused of a 3rd-degree felony, which may result in the following punishments:
- A $1,000–$5,000 fine
- Up to 5 years of probation
- Up to 5 years in jail
- Permanent license revocation
- All cars owned by the person convicted will be impounded for 10 days