It is the holiday season and people are beginning to drink more alcohol as they attend holiday parties. I must warn you that DUI laws in Alabama have become tougher. It is in your best interest to obey the law, because breaking it will be very costly. 

The first DUI conviction in a person’s lifetime will be considered a misdemeanor. Upon conviction the defendant may be given a sentence of up to 365 days in the county or municipal jail and a fine between $600 and $2100. He or she will also be ordered by the court to participate in a court approved substance abuse program. In addition to this your license will be suspended for a period of 90 days. If you do not get another DUI within a five year period the next time you are convicted for a DUI offense you will be sentenced as though it was your first offense. However a second DUI conviction within five years of the first conviction will be punished as a second DUI offense. 

The second DUI offense within 5 years will be a misdemeanor with a jail term of no less than 5 days and up to 365 days in the county or municipal jail. A court may allow the defendant to perform 30 days of community service instead of the jail time. On a second conviction the defendant will be fined between $1100.00 and $5100, his or her license will be suspended for a period of 1 year and he or she will be required to attend a court ordered treatment program. 

A third DUI conviction within a person’s lifetime is also a misdemeanor. Upon conviction he or she will be sentenced to no less than 60 days and no more than 1 year in the county or municipal jail. The accused shall be fined between $2100.00 and $10,100.00, have his or her drivers license suspended for three years and be required to complete a court ordered alcohol treatment program. 

The fourth DUI conviction or subsequent, DUI is a class C felony. A person convicted of felony DUI will be sentenced to no less than one year and one day and no more than 10 years imprisonment. He or she will be fined between $4,100.00 and $10,100.00, and have his driver’s license suspended for five years. He or she will also be required to attend a court ordered treatment program. 

It is in your best interest to not drink and drive. The life you save may very well be your own! For more information about DUI laws you can visit the website that I visited to research this article: http:www.1800duilaws.com. 

In the words of my dad, Dr. Melvin J. Griffin Sr.: “It’s ok to be henpecked as long as you are pecked by the right hen! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.