In the state of Iowa, the option of a deferred judgment is available only to those who are facing the dui charges for the time. For every dui offence, there are certain Iowa drunk driving penalties that you will have to face. The penalties can be very severe for multiple-time offenders. Even refusal to submitting to a chemical test is considered as a serious offence in this state, which results in one year of license suspension.
First Dui Conviction In Iowa
The first time dui conviction in this state is treated as a serious misdemeanor and attracts the following Iowa drunk driving penalties.
- Your driving license will be suspended for 180 days.
- The minimum monetary fine is $625. Depending upon the severity of the offence, the court may charge you a fine of up to $1250.
- Minimum two days of jail imprisonment is mandatory. You may be sent to jail for up to twelve months.
- You will not qualify for any restricted license for the first 30 days of license suspension if you were caught driving with a BAC level of above 0.15. If BAC is between 0.10 and 0.15, you will first have to get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle in order to qualify for a restricted license. No such requirements though are applicable if the BAC is less than 0.10.
Second Dui Conviction In Iowa
A second-time dui conviction is treated as an aggravated misdemeanor and results in the following Iowa drunk driving penalties.
- Suspension of driving license for twenty-four months
- Monetary fine may range from $1875 to as much as $6250.
- You will have to spend at least seven days in jail; the maximum jail imprisonment period can be up to twenty-four months.
- You can apply for a restricted license only after twelve months of suspension; even then you will be able to obtain it only if you install an ignition interlock device in your vehicles.
- In case of deferred judgment, the court may allow you to apply for a restricted license after first ninety days of suspension, but even in this case, you will need that ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Third (Or Subsequent) Dui Conviction In Iowa
You may have to face the following Iowa drunk driving penalties for a third-time conviction, which is treated as a class D felony.
- Suspension of your driving license for up to six years. If you get an ignition interlock device installed, you may be able to qualify for a restricted license but only after one year of license suspension.
- Minimum monetary fine is $3125; the maximum is $9375
- At least thirty days of jail term is mandatory. You may be sent to prison for up to five years.
In Cases Of Serious Injuries By Motor Vehicle
You will face the following penalties.
- Mandatory one year of license suspension (in addition to the license revocation by administrative departments)
- At least five years in prison (mandatory)
- Monetary fine of up to $7500 (minimum $750 is mandatory)
Other Possible Penalties
Along with the above penalties, the following additional Iowa drunk driving penalties may also be applicable in some cases.
- Participation in community service
- Attending a drinking drivers course (you will also have to bear the fees for the course)
- Attending a substance abuse reality program or a substance abuse treatment program or a substance abuse evaluation program