Idaho DUI penalties

Idaho DUI penalties and law

Each State within the United States is given the authoirity to write their own laws on Driving Under the Influence, or better known as DUI. Within this article, we will explore the different DUI laws within the State of Idaho and their penalties. To begin with, there is what is known as a ten year "Lookback Period", meaning that all prior DUI's become relevant to the sentencing you are now facing with your current DUI. This is also known as a "washout" period.

What constitutes a high BAC for a DUI in Idaho?

Under 21: .02%
21 or Older: .08%
Commercial: .04%

There is never an acceptable time to drink and drive, as your vision, reasoning, along with your mental capacity to make quick and important decisions and judgments are severely hindered and are not capable of bouncing back to what you are able to perform without alcohol in your system. Each person is different, and their tolerance of alcohol is severely unpredictable, making it impossible to say how many drinks are "normal" or not. This is what requires law enforcement to perform chemical testing on suspecting DUI offenders. If you are pulled over and are requested to take a chemical test to determine your BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content, Idaho has an implied consent law. This means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. For refusal to take the chemical test, the penalties are as follows:

First Offense: 1 year license suspension and $250 fine
Second Offense: 2 years license suspension and $250 fine
Third Offense: 2 years license suspension and $250 fine

For each offense, if the defendant installs an Ignition Interlock Device on their vehicle, they may be eligible for a Restricted License that allows for driving to/from work/shcool.

What are the penalties within the Idaho DUI laws?

There are several penalties within the Idaho DUI laws, and we will explore them in this section. Should you be pulled over and found guilty of Driving Under the Indluence of Alcohol within the boarders of the State of Idaho, the following are the consequences you will be facing:

Penalty of Jail

First Offense: Up to 6 months
Second Offense: 10 days to 1 year
Third Offense: 30 days to 5 years

Penalties and Fines

First Offense: Up to $1,000
Second Offense: Up to $2,000
Third Offense: Up to $5,000

Penalty of License Suspension

First Offense: 90 to 180 days
Second Offense: 1 year
Third Offense: 1 to 5 years

Penalty of Ignition Interlock Device

First Offense: No
Second Offense: Yes
Third Offense: Yes

Conclusion

It is important to note that laws change, as well as their interpretation and application of them. Due to the fact that there are multiple jurisdictions within a State and each may choose to enforce the laws in different ways, it is important to prepare for the unexpected. For this reason, it would be in your best interest to retain the services of a professional and experienced lawyer who is well versed in Idaho DUI laws and is capable of giving you the direction you need for your specific case, along with being fully aware of the current laws pertaining to DUI.

(Tags - DUI Penalties - DUI Tests - dui and license reinstatement - Idaho DUI laws )