Oregon DUI Penalties

Driving dunk in any state in the U.S. is a serious issue, and a DUI charge in Oregon is no exception. An offender may be faced with such penalties as imprisonment, fines, mandatory drunk driving classes, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, and the possibility of their driving privileges being temporarily suspended.

An Oregon DUI case can be prosecuted via one of two manners. The first is that an individual may be charged with a DUI if they are operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. However, unlike other states, in Oregon an individual may be convicted of DUI even if they are minutely affected by an intoxicant.

Though it may seem unfair, individuals (whom are minutely intoxicated) are charged so severely because it is automatically assumed that by being under the influence of an intoxicant, their perceptive abilities are already affected to the point that they cannot operate a vehicle safely. In fact, an individual does not have to be on a highway or public road to receive a DUI, as they may receive a DUI charge even if they are in public areas like parking lots, transit station parking facilities, school yards and so on.

The second DUI legal theory is the concept known as the “per se” law. The “per se” law is built upon the ideal that if an individual has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or more, they are then technically intoxicated (though they might not show it) and unfit to drive.

Furthermore, once charged with a DUI in Oregon, the offender will face penalties from two separate legal cases. The first case is a criminal case, while the second is a state of Oregon DMV hearing.

DUI Penalties

The penalties for a first time DUI offender may be a period of probation, a fine of $5,000, the suspension of driving privileges for one year, as well as the compulsory completion of an alcohol treatment program. Furthermore, the court may sentence the defendant to other penalties such as the mandatory completion of at least 80 hours of community service, the payment of a unitary fee assessment of $90, the reimbursement of the court for state-appointed attorney fees, as well as attendance at a victim’s impact panel.

The penalties for a first time DUI offense in Oregon are severe, but a second offense is even more difficult to deal with. Fortunately, a DUI defense lawyer can aid a defendant in protecting their rights. Therefore, if arrested and charged with a DUI in the state of Oregon, it is highly recommended that you contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately.