First Time Offender Laws in Alabama

DUI Law

If you are arrested for a first DUI in Alabama you will be subject to both administrative (license suspension) and criminal (jail, fines, etc.) penalties. The assessment of penalties is case-specific -- that is, various circumstances such as the amount of damage, injury, speed or other other factors will influence the penalties. Unlike many states, Alabama does not explicitly mandate enhanced penalties in light of elevated BAC (blood alcohol content) at time of arrest.

Administrative Penalties

Arrest carries mandatory license suspension of 90 days. Hearing concerning impending license suspension must be requested within ten (10) days following arrest with Alabama Department of Public Safety

Refusal to submit, if applicable to a given DUI case, carries a mandatory license suspension of 90 days for first offense.

Courts can mandate alcohol or substance abuse assessment, treatment, or screening.

Vehicle confiscation and ignition interlock devices do not occur in first offense convictions.

Criminal Penalties

First offense is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of one (1) year of incarceration, with no minimum period mandated. Most cases are resolved without further incarceration, after the initial arrest and booking.

Fines applicable in first offense range from $600 to $1200, plus fines and fees incurred in completing any alternative sentence arrangement.

Convictions remain on a person's record for five (5) years and may be used to influence sentencing for subsequent DUI convictions.

Related listings

  • Louisiana Dui information

    Louisiana Dui information

    DUI Law 08/23/2015

    Louisiana First Offender You are DWI/DUI in Louisiana if you drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10% or greater. First Offense Penalties Jail 10 days to 6 months. If you had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or higher, at least 48...

  • Dui laws and information for the state of Maryland

    Dui laws and information for the state of Maryland

    DUI Law 08/23/2014

    DUI or DWI? In Maryland DUI, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, BAC .08 or higher, 2 months/$500. DWI, Driving while Impaired by Alcohol, BAC .07, Year/$1000. Maryland State law mandates the automatic suspension of your driving license for 45 da...

  • Dui laws and information for the state of Maryland

    Dui laws and information for the state of Maryland

    DUI Law 08/23/2014

    DUI or DWI? In Maryland DUI, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, BAC .08 or higher, 2 months/$500. DWI, Driving while Impaired by Alcohol, BAC .07, Year/$1000. Maryland State law mandates the automatic suspension of your driving license for 45 da...

Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?

IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child. Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.