Oregon DUI: Penalties and Criminal Charge Defense

Oregon DUI laws are such that individuals who are charged and convicted of this offense are likely to face numerous penalties, fines and possible jail time. In addition to the legal offenses in a court of law, the Department of Motor Vehicles may also strip the individual of his or her license for a period of time, or after some time, for life. Because of the intensity of these laws, it is very important for individuals to obtain the help they need from an attorney to fight these charges.

Important Oregon DUI Laws

Oregon DUI laws outline the penalties and fines an individual will face based on the number of offenses. For first time offenders, the following are the likely convictions:

• DUI Diversion Program may be mandated by the court
• Jail time of 48 hours up to one full year
• Community service up to 80 hours of service time
• Fines up to $1000 or up to $2000 if the individual’s blood alcohol level was above .15.
• Fines can extend up to $10000, with additional consequences if there are minors under the age of 18 in the vehicle if they are at least three years younger than the driver.
• License suspension for up to one year
• Iginition interlock device may be mandatory for one year after the driver reinstate’s his driver’s license
• A drug or alcohol treatment program may be required.
• In some cases, participation in a victim impact program may be necessary.

For a second convictions, all of the previous applies and the following:

• The individual will pay a fine of at least $1500.
• License suspension for three additional years, if the second conviction is within five years of the first.
• Two years with an ignition interlock device after suspension period

Third offenses have all of the first offense charges and these changes:

• The DUI charge is now a Class C felony offense if the other offenses occurred within the previous ten years.
• Fines increase to at least $2000
• License suspension becomes a permanent revocation
• The use of an ignition interlock device for life is likely if the individual is able to secure his license again.

Due to the harshness of these crimes, it is critical that individuals fight to reduce these charges if possible.

Hire an Attorney

An attorney can help an individual to fight Oregon DUI laws. In some cases, it may be possible to get fines and other penalties reduced, dropped or otherwise improved with the aid of an attorney.