Alabama DUI Laws, Penalties, and License SuspensionAlabama drunk driving laws have become more and more complicated and the penalties are more harsh that ever. The amount of alcohol a person can consume is becoming less and the effort to crack down on DUI's is rising. Most people arrested for drunk driving  have never been in trouble with the law before, this will be the first time they were handcuffed, put into the back of a police car, and tried by the state in court.
The DMV and court process is confusing and there is no room for even the slightest error. Knowing the laws, penalties, fees and process is extremely important. The biggest mistake you can make is assuming that you don't need to speak to a lawyer. DUIs are very complex and a lot is at stake. If you plead guilty to a DUI, your guilty. No reducing, no plea bargaining, just guilty. Give your case a change, talk to a lawyer. You can schedule a free, no obligation consultation with an attorney today by calling (877) 678-5640.
Alabama Laws
The following driving actions are illegal in the State of Alabama:
- A person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- A person who is under the influence of a drug to a degree which renders you incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
- A person whose blood contains 0.08 percent or more concentration of alcohol.
- A person under the combined influence of alcohol and a drug to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving.
- A commercial vehicle operator whose blood alcohol contend is .04 percent or more. Persons under the age of 21 whose blood alcohol content is .02 percent or more.
- School bus and daycare drivers whose blood alcohol content is .02 percent or more.
As you can read above, in the State of Alabama has aggressive drunk driving laws for School bus drivers and drivers under the age of 21. The 0.02 percent is approaching the "Zero" tolerance limits that many legislators would like to enforce for all drivers. If you are a commercial driver, the limit is also a very low at .04 percent.
Alabama Penalties
First Drunk Driving Conviction
$600 to $2100 fine and up to one year in jail, or both. Drivers license will be suspended for 90 days.
Second Drunk Driving Conviction
If within 5 years of the 1st, $1,100 to $5,100, Jail sentence up to 1 year, or both. Also a mandatory 48 hours in jail or 20 days of community service. One year revocation of drivers license is required after 2nd conviction.
Third Drunk Driving Conviction
The 3rd time you are convicted of drunk driving in Alabama the fine will range from $2,100 to $10,100 and your drivers license will be revoked for 3 years. A third time offender may be sentenced up to one year with a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in Jail. The jail time you receive after your third conviction of drunk driving in Alabama cannot be suspended or probated.
Fourth Drunk Driving Conviction
If you are unfortunate enough to be convicted of a 4th drunk driving offense in Alabama, you will be charged with a class "C" felony. The fine for a fourth conviction will range from $4,100 to $10,000. You will also have your drivers license revoked for a period of 5 years. The jail time you serve will be from 1 to 10 years and the time served will not be less than 1 year.
Alabama Drivers License Issues
Implied Consent Law
The implied consent law in Alabama states that "Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state shall be deemed to have given his consent to a chemical test or tests of his blood, breath, or urine to determine blood alcohol content" If you refuse to take the test requested by an officer your drivers license will be suspended.
Drivers License Points
Any conviction which resulted from a charge that involved 6 Points the drinking of alcoholic beverages and the driving of a motor vehicle but did not require mandatory revocation of the driver license
- Reckless Driving 6 Points
- Speeding In Excess of 5 Points 85 MPH (86 or above)
- Failure to Yield Right of Way 5 Points
- Passing Stopped School Bus 5 Points
- Wrong Side of Road 4 Points
- Illegal Passing 4 Points
- Following Too Closely 3 Points
- Disregarding Traffic Control Device (stop sign, traffic light) 3 Points
- Speeding in Excess of Posted Limits 2 Points
- All Other Moving Violations 2 Points
The following schedule is used to determine the length of a suspension period:
- 12-14 Points in a 2-year period 60 days
- 15-17 Points in a 2-year period 90 days
- 18-20 Points in a 2-year period 120 days
- 21-23 Points in a 2-year period 180 days
- 24 and above points in a 2-year period 365 days
After a traffic conviction is 2 years old, it loses its point count for suspension purposes but remains on a driver's record.
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has some very strenuous drunk driving laws. A DUI can cost you your drivers license, it caries heavy fines and penalties, and can even put you in jail. Follow the link to find out more information:
