A second DUI charge is considered a serious misdemeanor and results in harsher punishments than a first offense. Repeat offenders may face longer prison terms, license suspensions, and mandatory attendance at DUI school. Second-time offenders are seen as knowing the law and consequences, making their offense more serious.
In most cases, a second driving under the influence (DUI) charge is a serious misdemeanor. When a person is charged with a second DUI, they are considered a repeat offender. In the eyes of the law, his first sentence for drunk driving failed to stop him from committing the same offense again. Thus, a person with a second DUI usually receives a more severe punishment in an effort to not only keep him from getting behind the wheel, but also help him understand the seriousness of his crime. In many cases, a person convicted of this offense faces a longer prison term, a longer driver’s license suspension, and an extended stint in DUI school.
A DUI is a serious offense no matter how many times a person is arrested for it. In general, however, any subsequent DUI is considered a more serious offense than the previous DUI. While a person with a first time DUI may face the punishments allowed in his jurisdiction, his punishments may be more lenient because he has never been in trouble before. Punishments can also be more lenient due to the fact that anyone can make a mistake once. A second DUI is more serious because the offender apparently knows the law about this type of offense and understands the consequences of the offender’s actions, but commits the same offense again.
Because a second DUI is considered more serious than a first, a person convicted of this offense is likely to face harsher penalties. For example, a person convicted of a first DUI may have their license suspended for six months in some jurisdictions. A person convicted of a second DUI, however, can have their license suspended for two years or even lose it altogether.
Many jurisdictions require individuals convicted of DUI to serve mandatory prison sentences and to give repeat offenders more time in jail. For example, some jurisdictions give first-time DUI offenders at least 48 hours in jail. For a second DUI, however, a person can get double the jail time. In fact, there are some jurisdictions where a second time offender has to spend anywhere from 10 to 30 days in jail.
Often, a second DUI also means that a person will receive probation and be required to attend DUI school. In some jurisdictions, for example, first-, second-, and third-time offenders are given three to five years of probation. Offenders may also be required to attend DUI school, which is a drug and alcohol education program for DUI offenders. A second DUI conviction usually results in a longer time in DUI school. This may, however, depend on the laws of the specific jurisdiction.
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