Montana DUI Consequences
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If you think being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is no big deal, it’s time to reconsider. As one of the most dangerous acts a driver can commit, DUI is a serious criminal offense in the United States. In fact, most individuals who are convicted of drunk driving pay a hefty price. For example, in Montana, DUI consequences often include license suspension, fines, and/or possible jail sentence.
If you have no prior record of driving under the influence, the penalties for a first Montana DUI conviction will include a fine of $300 to $1,000, as well as a six-month driver’s license suspension and up to a six-month jail sentence.
For a second conviction within a five-year period, you’ll face a minimum $600 fine and lose your driving privileges for a year or longer. You can also expect to spend anywhere from seven days to six months behind bars and, depending on the circumstances of your arrest, may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—which means you will have to perform a breath test anytime you attempt to start your vehicle. In some cases, the state may even seize your vehicle.
While the penalties for a second drunk driving conviction are pretty tough, they’re nothing compared to the punishment you’ll receive if you are convicted of a third DUI within five years. As mandated by the state’s mandatory sentencing requirements, a third conviction will cost you as much as $5,000 in fines, a one-year license suspension, and up to a one-year jail sentence. You will also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for a year or longer, and court is also far more likely to confiscate your vehicle.
It is important to remember that, even after you have completed the terms of your sentence, a DUI conviction will continue to haunt you. As a criminal offense, your DUI will permanently appear on your criminal record, where it can be easily found by employers, housing providers, educational institutions, and anyone who checks your background—which, as you can probably guess, can seriously limit your future opportunities.
Finally, regardless of whether you are a first-time offender or have a history of driving under the influence, a DUI conviction will have a significant impact on your auto insurance rates. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for insurers to charge convicted drunk drivers two to three times more for coverage—and in some cases, your provider may simply refuse to insure you altogether.
Fortunately, being arrested for DUI is not the same as being convicted. In fact, many drivers just like you are able to challenge their arrest and get their charges reduced or dismissed in criminal court. In order to do this, however, you must have a strong argument that supports your defense—a necessity that often requires obtaining professional legal counsel.
To determine the best strategy for your case, submit your information online today. Someone will be in touch with you shortly to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area.
