Losing your license is a strong possibility when you’ve been charged with a DUI. When you have a history of convictions for driving under the influence, the odds of losing your license for a significant amount of time will only increase. That is why you need to talk to a DUI lawyer in Montgomery County, PA before your case moves forward. If you are facing a third DUI charge, your driving privileges could be taken away for a long time.
How Long Will My License Be Suspended for a Third Offense?
In most cases, a third DUI conviction can result in your license being suspended for 12 months. This means a year of not being able to legally drive yourself anywhere. Maybe you can rely on friends and family to drive you, or you can face the added expense of paying for Uber and Lyft rides. As if going to trial for a DUI is not inconvenient and costly enough.
This probably won’t even be the only punishment that you face. A third DUI conviction can result in penalties like:
- Fines of $500 to $5000
- Up to one year of being forced to use an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
- Mandatory drug and alcohol classes
- Up to two years of jail time
We think that you’ll want to do everything that you possibly can to beat these charges.
Can Other Factors Result in a Longer License Suspension?
Your license can actually get suspended for even longer if there are complicating factors that make your DUI charge even more serious. There are two things that usually make a case against a driver more perilous.
The first potential problem is the BAC recorded at the time of your arrest. If your blood alcohol concentration exceeds certain limits, you are charged with a High BAC DUI. When this is your third offense, your license can be suspended for up to 18 months.
The second complicating factor can be a minor in the vehicle. If you get charged for a third DUI and there was a child present at the time that you are accused of driving under the influence, that can also result in an 18-month license suspension.
How Can I Prevent My License From Being Suspended For So Long?
The best way to avoid these harsh penalties is to avoid getting convicted. That means working with an attorney who can help you beat the charges or plead to lesser crimes. The more times you get convicted for a DUI, the more severe the punishments will be, so keeping them off your record entirely is your best option.
Talk to Our Defense Attorneys
When you are ready to get serious about your defense, contact Mudrick & Zucker. You don’t want to lose your license for a year or more, and you don’t want to face all of the other punishments that can be doled out for a third DUI conviction. Talk to our legal team and learn more about how we can help you form a defensive strategy.