Idaho has the same alcohol regulations as the other states in the country. If you are pulled over and suspected of drunk driving, and have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, you will be arrested for DUI. Their laws are even stricter for commercial drivers or drivers under the age of 21, so if you fall into this grouping, you want to be sure that you refrain from drinking and driving, as you may face stricter rules and regulations. If you are pulled over and are arrested for DUI, you will be facing some very strict consequences that will harm your life now and in the future.
First DUI Offense
License suspension will occur for at least ninety days, with the chance of getting a reinstatement after 30 days if you meet certain requirements, including ignition interlock device installation on your car. There is not a minimum period of incarceration for a first DUI offense, but you can be sentenced to up to six months in jail. As far as fines, your first offense fines will not be more than $1000, but this amount may not include treatment, evaluation, or other costs that may be associated with your sentencing. While a first offense may not seem that bad to you, to the state of Idaho, it means that you are going to face very strict fines and sentencing.
Second DUI Offense
A second DUI conviction within five years of the first will mean strict penalties for you now and in the future. The first one is that your license will be revoked for one year after your release from jail, which will mean that you will have to depend upon someone else to get you to work and to have fun. As far as your jail time, you will be facing a minimum of 10 days in jail and up to one year, depending upon the aggravating factors of your arrest. Work detail may be given in lieu of jail time or in addition to it, depending upon the factors of your arrest. Fines can be up to $2000, not including mandatory drug treatment or evaluation, depending upon your sentencing conditions. The penalties for this offense and for future offenses get even stricter, which is why you want to refrain from drinking and driving.
Third DUI Offense
Your third and future DUI offenses within five years will mean that you are facing a felony charge, which will cause you to have big issues for a long time to come. In addition to this, you will have a mandatory license removal of at least one year and up to five years. The jail time that you are facing is a minimum of 30 days and up to 5 years, based on the factors that were part of your arrest. As far as a fine, you will be facing fines up to $5000 and this may not include other elements of your sentence, including drug or alcohol treatment, required ignition interlock device, etc. To get your license reinstated after your mandatory prison sentence, you will have to apply for and pay for SR22 insurance coverage before reinstatement, which will cost you more money and will be more difficult to attain.
Drinking and driving will have big effects upon your life now and in the future. By getting advice and help from a lawyer, you will be able to make sure that you are getting the support you need in your drunk driving case. Legal professionals are invaluable when you have to deal with a legal issue, so be sure that you get the representation that you need.