Complete Guide to Aggravated DUI & DWI Charges

Every year, thousands of drivers find themselves being arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in the United States alone. As one of the most dangerous offenses a driver can commit, DUI carries a number of hefty penalties—and even a first offense can lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, a lengthy license suspension, and/or jail time. However, if you are charged with aggravated drunk driving, you may be facing even harsher sentencing guidelines.

Aggravated DUI Laws Vary by State

Although each state has its own specific DUI laws, most jurisdictions impose additional penalties for certain offenses. For example, if you are caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) significantly above the legal 0.08% limit (usually around 0.16%), you may be charged with aggravated DUI. The same rule also applies if you were involved in a serious auto collision, driving 30 miles or more over the speed limit, or arrested in a school zone.

You could also face aggravated DUI charges if you had an underage passenger in your vehicle at the time of your arrest. While these laws vary greatly from one state to another, transporting a person under 16 is typically grounds for a driver to be charged with child endangerment. In some areas, the offense may even be classified as a felony.

Recent DWI/DUI Articles

Nevada DUI 2-hour Rule

Nevada DUI 2-hour Rule: What You Need to Know to Avoid TroubleContentsNevada DUI 2-hour Rule: What You Need to Know to Avoid TroubleWhat is the Nevada DUI 2-hour rule?Why was…

DUI Probation in California

Navigating DUI Probation in California: What You Need to KnowContentsNavigating DUI Probation in California: What You Need to KnowUnderstanding DUI Probation in CaliforniaRequirements and Restrictions of DUI ProbationConsequences of Violating…

What is the Admin Per Se Suspension?

Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1385 provides a clear explanation of the admin per se suspension – a measure that involves losing one’s driving privileges in the event of alcohol consumption or…

How Much Does a DUI Cost in Arizona?

Arizona DUI CostsContentsArizona DUI CostsArizona Drunk Driving FinesThe Financial Implications of Committing a DUI in ArizonaArizona DUI and Drug and Alcohol Treatment ProgramsBenefits of Attending DUI and Drug and Alcohol…

Marijuana DUI Arizona

Medical Marijuana and Driving in ArizonaContentsMedical Marijuana and Driving in ArizonaArizona law on driving and drugsYour rights during a traffic stopPenalties for marijuana DUI Medical marijuana is legal in Arizona,…

Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI in Arizona

Arizona Felony vs. Misdemeanor DUIContentsArizona Felony vs. Misdemeanor DUICan you drive under the influence if you had several drinks and sleep it off in your vehicle?Will you be charged with…

Arizona Underage DUI Laws

Juvenile DUI to the Slightest DegreeContentsJuvenile DUI to the Slightest DegreeUnderage DUI in ArizonaAnybody Can Be Charged with DUI in ArizonaBlood Alcohol Content for Juvenile DUI in ArizonaAre the Penalties…

Multiple DWI Offenses

If you have a history of drunk driving (meaning you have one or more DUI convictions on your record), you will be shown little leniency if you are convicted of a subsequent offense. Indeed, the penalties for drunk driving typically increase significantly with each conviction—meaning a second offense will carry a harsher sentence than a first offense, a third offense will have tougher penalties than a second offense, and so forth. Finally, if you are arrested for DUI while driving on a suspended or revoked license (or simply do not have a license), you may once again be charged with aggravated DUI.

Penalties of Aggravated DWI or DUI

It is important to know that, regardless of the reason for the offense, an aggravated DUI carries much larger fines, a far longer license suspension, and a lengthier jail sentence than a standard drunk driving charge. As a result, it is more important than ever to have legal representation if you are charged with aggravated drunk driving.

To improve your chances of obtaining a successful outcome in DUI court, the best thing you can do is obtain legal representation immediately after your arrest. With the right legal strategy, many drivers just like you are able to significantly reduce the charges against them—or in some cases, avoid them altogether. In order to do this, however, most drivers must have help from a skilled DUI defense attorney.

Unlike general practitioners, lawyers who limit their practice area to drunk driving defense have advanced knowledge in the science of breath testing and other important areas of DUI law. For more information about the latest defense strategies, submit your information online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI attorney in your area.

From California to Texas and every state in between, there are serious penalties for being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The laws and consequences vary for DUI depending on jurisdiction, but one thing states agree on is that this is a serious criminal offense. In many circumstances, DUI is classified as a misdemeanor. However, if you are charged with an aggravated DUI, you may be convicted of a felony.

Featured DUI Defense Attorneys

Texas DUI lawyers deeply believe in the proposition that, whenever the government is trying to take away or interfere in any way with the liberty of any individual, that person is entitled under our constitutional protections to the most vigorous and zealous defense permitted by our laws.

You may also like: Top 10 Best Houston DWI Attorneys

What Qualifies As Aggravated DUI?

The penalties for an aggravated DUI are more severe because a driver was caught committing an additional offense in addition to their DUI. For example, if you were driving with a suspended or revoked license and you were arrested for DUI, you can be convicted of an aggravated DUI. Other examples of an aggravated DUI may include transporting a minor; driving in a school zone or operating a bus; causing an injury or death due to an automobile accident; or having a prior conviction of reckless homicide. In addition, if you have a prior DUI within a certain number of years, you may be convicted of an aggravated DUI.

Harsh Aggravated DUI Penalties

As far as penalties are concerned, it depends on your state. However, you could be looking at community service, loss of your driver’s license, expensive fines, probation and jail time. In fact, 27 states have mandatory prison sentences between 48 hours and three years depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. If your vehicle is not confiscated by the state, you may be required to have an ignition interlock system installed in your vehicle. This machine will require you to blow into it in order to start your vehicle. If a small amount of alcohol is detected, your vehicle will not start.

Outside of court, you’ll likely face the loss of your vehicle insurance. Another long-term penalty is the automatic disqualification from certain jobs.

If you or someone you know has been charged with an aggravated DUI, it’s essential to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney. The circumstances surrounding your case will need the expertise of a DUI defense lawyer who specializes in this ever-changing and quite complex area of law.

States/Abbreviations
AKAlaskaLALouisianaOHOhio
ALAlabamaMAMassachusettsOKOklahoma
ARArkansasMDMarylandOROregon
AZArizonaMEMainePAPennsylvania
CACaliforniaMIMichiganRIRhode Island
COColoradoMNMinnesotaSCSouth Carolina
CTConnecticutMOMissouriSDSouth Dakota
DEDelawareMSMississippiTNTennessee
FLFloridaMTMontanaTXTexas
GAGeorgiaNCNorth CarolinaUTUtah
HIHawaiiNDNorth DakotaVTVermont
IAIowaNENebraskaVAVirginia
IDIdahoNHNew HampshireWAWashington State
ILIllinoisNJNew JerseyWIWisconsin
INIndianaNMNew MexicoWVWest Virginia
KSKansasNVNevadaWYWyoming
KYKentuckyNYNew YorkDCWashington DC