Driving under the influence of alcohol or while intoxicated attracts certain Arkansas drunk driving penalties. Dui charges can be placed against a person whose blood alcohol level exceeds 0.08. However, for minors, the BAC limit is only 0.02. Following is a brief rundown on what kind of fines and penalties are applicable for a person convicted under dui charges.
First Dui Conviction In Arkansas
- It will become legally mandatory for you to attend Victim Impact Panel
- The court is also very much likely to order you to complete an Alcohol Treatment or Education Program. The amount of fee for such programs usually does not exceed $125.
- Your driver license will be suspended for a minimum period of six months. However, you can qualify to obtain a restricted license if you get an Ignition Interlock Device installed in your vehicles.
- The monetary fine may range from just $150 to $1000
- If the convict is a child under 16 years of age, a jail term of at least seven days or for a maximum of twelve months may be awarded. Alternatively, the court may also ask the convict to participate in public service for that much period.
- For others, the minimum period for jail imprisonment is twenty-four hours; the maximum period a person can be sent to jail for under first dui conviction in Arkansas is twelve months.
Second Dui Conviction In Arkansas
The following Arkansas drunk driving penalties apply if you get convicted under dui charges for a second time within five years of the first conviction.
- The court will order you to attend Victim Impact Panel
- You will also have to complete an Alcohol Education or Treatment Program
- Your driver license will be suspended for a minimum period of two years. However, after 45 days of suspension, you can apply for a restricted license that can be issued if you install an ignition interlock device in your vehicles.
- The minimum monetary fine that you must pay is $400; the maximum fine is $3000
- The minimum period for jail imprisonment is 7 days, which can be extended up to one year. For minors (children below 16 years of age), the jail term may range from 30 days to one year.
Third Dui Conviction In Arkansas
If you get convicted under a dui charge for a third time within 5 years of the previous conviction, it will attract the following Arkansas drunk driving penalties.
- It will be legally mandatory to attend Victim Impact Panel and to complete an Alcohol Education or Treatment Program
- At least 120 Days of Community Service is also mandatory for children under 16. For others, the minimum period they must participate in Community Service is 90 days.
- Your driver license will be suspended for thirty months. There is no way to obtain even restricted license before at least one year of suspension. After one year, you can apply and obtain a restricted license by getting an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicles.
- The monetary fine ranges from $900 to $5,000
- The minimum period you can be sent to jail is 90 days; the maximum is one year. If the convict is a child under 16 years of age, the minimum period he/she must spend in jail is 120 days; the maximum is twelve months.
Fourth Dui Conviction In Arkansas
If you get convicted again under dui charges within five years of the third conviction, the offence will be considered as a felony. You may be awarded with the following Arkansas drunk driving penalties in such cases.
- A minimum one year of community service. Minors (children under 16) must participate in community service for a minimum period of two years.
- If the fourth conviction has happened within three years of the third conviction, your vehicle will be seized.
- Your driver license will be suspended for four years. You will also not be able to obtain a restricted license even if you get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
- The jail imprisonment period ranges from at least one year to a maximum period of six years. For minors, the penalties are again more severe; the minimum jail term for them is two years.
It is also important to note that Arkansas is one of those few states where the Implied Consent Law is applicable. As per this law, anybody who drives a vehicle must give their consent (it is considered as if they have given their consent by default) to a breath, urine, or blood test if asked by the officer to determine the BAC level. Refusal to take these tests during a dui stop will attract certain Arkansas drunk driving penalties that include an automatic suspension of your driver license for a minimum period of 180 days (if it is the first time). You may not even be able to obtain an Ignition Interlock restricted license.