Nebraska DUI Consequences
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If you were recently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Nebraska, you may find yourself facing a dire situation. As a severe criminal offense, a drunk driving conviction carries a number of hefty penalties, including a license suspension, fine, and jail sentence—and that’s just for a first offense. What’s more, the Nebraska DUI consequences don’t end there. You’ll also feel the impact of your conviction long after you’ve completed the terms of your sentence.
Like most states, Nebraska’s DUI penalties vary based on your history of driving under the influence. Assuming you have no prior convictions on your record, the sentence for a first-time offense includes a six-month license suspension and a $400 fine. Understandably, drivers who have been convicted of DUI in the past will face much harsher sentencing guidelines that first offenders. Therefore, if you are found guilty of a second DUI, you should plan on paying at least $500 in fines and losing your driving privileges for a year or more. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, your sentence may even include up to ten days in jail.
Although you may be able to avoid jail time if you are convicted of a first or second DUI, a third offense carries a minimum 30-day jail sentence. In addition, a $600 fine may be imposed, and your driver’s license could be revoked for up to 15 years. Once your driving privileges are restored, you will also be expected to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—making it impossible to operate your vehicle without first passing a breathalyzer.
Once you reach your third DUI conviction, any subsequent DUI charge will be classified as a felony. Under state law, the penalties for a fourth drunk driving conviction include a $1,000 fine, 15-year license suspension, and 90-day jail sentence. As with your third conviction, you will again be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle once your license is reinstated. A felony conviction will also lead to the loss of many personal freedoms, including your right to vote, purchase firearms, and travel outside of the country.
Even if your offense is not considered a felony, the consequences of a DUI conviction will haunt you long after you’ve completed the terms of your sentence. First and foremost, your conviction will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life—which means it will show up whenever a person checks your background. Unfortunately, as more and more employers now screen all job applicants, a blemished criminal record can threaten your eligibility for certain positions. In some cases, your housing and educational opportunities may even be limited as well.
It is also important to be aware of the impact a DUI conviction will have on your financial future. As a convicted drunk driver, you can expect your auto insurance rates to skyrocket once your insurer finds out about your offense—often doubling or tripling in cost (and it may be years before you qualify for a lower rate).
In light of all the penalties you face if convicted of DUI, it’s easy to see why so many drivers obtain legal counsel prior to their day in court. To discuss your arrest with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area, submit your information online today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.
