Washington DC DUI Penalties

First Conviction

• Up to 90 days in jail
• $300 fine
• If BAC is between 0.20 and 0.25, additional mandatory  five days in jail
• If BAC is above 0.25, additional mandatory  10 days in jail
• If transporting a person under the age of 18 at the time of citation, additional minimum fine of $500 - $1,000 and 48 hours of community service
• License suspension of sixmonths to oneyear (DMV sanction)

Second Conviction (within 15 years of prior conviction)

• Mandatory fivedays in jail, up to one year
• $1,000 – $5,000 fine
• If BAC is between 0.20 and 0.25, additional mandatory 10 days in jail
• If BAC is above 0.25, additional mandatory 20 days in jail
• If transporting a person under the age of 18 at the time of citation, additional minimum fine of $500 - $1,000 and 80 hours of community service
• License suspension of up to oneyear (DMV sanction)

Third Conviction or more (within 15 years of prior convictions)

• Mandatory 10 days in jail, up to one year
• $2,000 - $10,000 fine
• If BAC is between 0.20 and 0.25, additional mandatory 15 days in jail
• If BAC is above 0.25, additional mandatory 25 days in jail
• If transporting a person under the age of 18 at the time of citation, additional minimum fine of $500 - $1,000 and 80 hours of community service
• License suspension of two to three years (DMV sanction)

OWI:

First Conviction

• Up to 30 days in jail
• $200-$300 fine

Second Conviction (within 15 years of prior conviction)

• Mandatory fivedays in jail, up to one year, or at least 30 days of community service
• $300-500 fine

Third Conviction (within 15 years of prior conviction)

• Mandatory 10 days in jail, up to one year, or at least 60 days of community service
• $1,000 - $5,000 fine

In DC, under the "implied consent law," you are deemed to have consented to give a chemical test if there is probability that you have committed an alcohol-related traffic offense. Although you can refuse and the refusal will strip the prosecution of chemical evidence, refusal comes with consequences, including the possible use of a refusal against you as "consciousness of guilt" evidence during the trial as well as a lengthier suspension of driving privileges.