A common outcome of a third DUI arrest is jail time. The penalties for such a crime are worse than the penalties for your first or second DUI charges. In fact, your third DUI arrest can even result in losing your license to drive altogether. Unlike your first and second DUI convictions, the third time you offend will lead to a felony conviction. Your third DUI will also be on your permanent record.
If you are facing a third DUI, you should seek help as soon as possible. Your chance of serving time in jail will increase dramatically if your third DUI is a repeat occurrence. If you are already serving time for another intoxicated driving offense, a third DUI can add years of punishment. A jail sentence for your third DUI will be longer than any other sentence.
If you have been charged with a third dui offense and you believe that jail is the only option, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. The penalties for first, second and third DUI sentences in Mississippi are very different. Your minimum jail sentence will likely be more than the maximum prison sentence for your first, second or third DUI. There are a number of different penalties for each type of DUI, including community service, jail time, license suspension, probation, fines, loss of driver’s license, court costs and more.
As long as you are charged with a third DUI, you may still be eligible for some type of leniency. Even a first, second or third DUI will be treated as a misdemeanor under state law. Your third DUI sentence will not be punished by a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license. If your third DUI sentence is a misdemeanor, it is highly unlikely that your license will be suspended.
If you have been previously convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance, your DUI conviction will be entered into the state’s criminal history. Even if you have successfully completed a DUI treatment program and have not been involved in a DUI/DWI offense in the past, your third DUI sentence will be entered into the state’s records. A judge may decide to strip you of your driver’s license during the pendency of your case, but this is not guaranteed.
If you are convicted of a third dui offense, there are many things you can do to avoid jail time. The first option is to complete an intensive alcohol and drug treatment program. In most states, drug or alcohol rehabilitation centers must be licensed by the state. Your attorney can advise you on the specifics of your state’s requirements for enrolling in and completing an alcohol and drug treatment program. If convicted of DUI, your attorney can work with you to seek the most effective outcome from the third DUI conviction, including the least-restrictive sentencing and the most beneficial post-incident rehabilitation program.