Rhode Island First Offender

You are DUI in Rhode Island if your blood alcohol content is .08% or higher. Under 21, you are DUI with any alcohol content at all in your system.

DUI Penalties

Jail

none.

Fines/Fees

$100 to $300 fine. ($500 if your BAC is over .15%). Also, a $500 highway safety assessment.

License Suspension

3- to 6-month license suspension. Reinstatement Fee is $50.

Community Service

10 to 60 hours on a 1st offense at the discretion of the court. 10 hours are mandatory.

Alcohol Assessment/Screening

Conducted by Community College of Rhode Island through referral.

Education / Treatment

Based on assessment, you will take a driving school or alcohol-drug treatment. The class involves 10 hours of classroom instruction at a cost of $250, which includes the assessment fee. According to assessment determination, you may be required to complete an intensive outpatient treatment program with monitoring. Cost varies and you must pay.

Test Refusal

If you refuse to take a chemical test, your license will be suspended for a minimum of ninety (90) days. You are also subject to a fine, a highway safety assessment, public community service, drunk driving school and/or an alcohol treatment program.

Under 21

For drivers 21 years of age or older, test results that show a blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.05 but less than .08, can be convicted of DWI (driving while impaired) if there is other evidence that you were driving under the influence of alcohol.

A BAC level as low as 0.02% (which is less than one beer for most people) can result in the loss of your driver's license, a fine of up to $150, and community service of up to 100 hours.

Juvenal Drunk Driving (Under 18, First Offender)

Penalties for a BAC of .10% or more include:

6- to 18-month license suspension, $500 maximum highway safety assessment, 10 to 60 hours of community service, alcohol or drug treatment or $250 driving school, and time in family court with your parent(s).

Penalties for a BAC at least 0.02% but less than 0.10% include:

a 6-month license suspension, a $150 highway safety assessment or community service, and the Family Court Judge may order "Driving While Intoxicated" course and/or alcohol-drug treatment.

DUI for Age 18 to 21

Penalties for a First Offender with a BAC at least 0.02% but less than 0.10% include:

a 1- to 3-month license suspension, a $100 fine, a $150 highway safety assessment, 30 hours community service, attend a "Driving While Intoxicated" course. You may take part in alcohol-drug treatment at the judge's discretion.

Insurance

Your insurance rates will probably rise considerably, and the rates of you family members, or even in some cases your employer, may rise as well.

Even Greater Penalties

You are subject to even greater penalties if you had a DUI related crash that involved serious injury or death.