Kentucky DUI Consequences

Like most states, Kentucky lawmakers are continually passing new legislation to prevent individuals from driving under the influence (DUI). In an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities, these laws impose harsh sentencing guidelines on drivers who are convicted of the offense. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, countless motorists are arrested for drinking and driving each year—and those individuals face a multitude of Kentucky DUI consequences as a result.  

If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in the state of Kentucky, your punishment will vary based on your prior DUI history. Assuming this is your first offense, your sentence may include a $200 to $500 fine, a 30 to 90-day license suspension, and up to 30 days of jail time. In some cases, you may also be sentenced to community service and/or ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle (a device that makes your vehicle inoperable if you do not perform a breathalyzer beforehand).

Drivers who have a prior drunk driving conviction on their criminal record can expect far tougher penalties than those listed above. In fact, the minimum penalties for a second DUI include a one-year license suspension, $350 to $500 fine, 7-day jail sentence, and up to six months of community service. Once their driving privileges are restored, repeat offenders will also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle for at least one year.

After two DUI convictions, a subsequent drunk driving charge carries a two to three-year license suspension, $500 to $1,000 fine, and up to a year behind bars. Individuals who are found guilty of a third drunk driving charge are also typically sentenced to community service (ranging from 10 days one year) and must maintain an ignition interlock device for the next 30 months.

Along with court-imposed penalties, Kentucky motorists face many other consequences if they are convicted of driving under the influence. Like any other criminal charge, a DUI will permanently remain on your criminal record. As a result, anyone who checks your background will find out you are a convicted drunk driver—a fact that can threaten countless opportunities in the future. Indeed, many employers, housing providers, and educational institutions will not even consider an applicant who has a flawed criminal record.

Finally, it is important to understand how a drunk driving conviction can impact your budget. When compared to your current rates, you can expect to pay two to three times more for auto insurance—and some companies may refuse to cover you once they learn of your conviction.

Of course, being arrested for DUI does not mean you will be found guilty of the offense. With help from an attorney, many Kentucky drivers are able to prove the charges against them are unwarranted and avoid the life-altering ramifications of a drunk driving conviction.

To learn how you can improve your chances of successfully resolving your case, submit your information online today. We will contact you shortly to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area.