Oregon Drunk Driving Penalties

Just like in majority of other states, certain Oregon drunk driving penalties apply not only when you get convicted under dui charges but also when you refuse to take the field sobriety test. When you refuse to take the test at the time of dui stop, you attract additional penalties, which remain applicable even if all charges against you get dismissed in the court room. As per the Implied Consent Law applicable in the state of Oregon, the refusal generally results in an immediately license suspension followed by a court hearing, where the exact period of license suspension is determined if you are found to be at fault.

First Dui Conviction In Oregon

The convict has to face the following Oregon drunk driving penalties if it is the first time he or she has been convicted.

- It will be mandatory to participate in a specific victim-impact panel program as per court order.
- Attending an alcohol or drug treatment program is also compulsory
- Driving license will remain suspended for twelve months. After the suspension period is over, you will be required to install an ignition interlock device in all your vehicles for the next twelve months. If you do not meet this requirement, your license will again be forfeited.
- You will also have to pay at least $300 as dui fees.
- If there was an under-18 child (and at least three years younger than driver) at the time of dui stop, the monetary fine can be up to $10000.
- The basic monetary fine if BAC level is less than 0.15 is at least $1000 (mandatory). But, if the BAC level exceeds 0.15, you will have to pay an addition fine of at least $2000 (it can be more depending upon the severity of the offence).
- You will be asked to participate in a court-ordered community service program for at least eighty hours.
- The jail imprisonment period can be up to twelve months; minimum two days of jail term is mandatory.
- It is also very much likely that the court will order you to complete a specific dui diversion program

Second Dui Conviction In Oregon

The second conviction results in the following Oregon drunk driving penalties.

- Attending a Victim-Impact Panel Program and an alcohol/drug treatment program is again mandatory
- If the second conviction occurs within five years of the previous conviction, your license will be suspended for thirty-six months. There are no provisions for a restricted license. Besides that, ignition interlock device will be required for twenty-four months after the 3-year of suspension period is over.
- At least $300 as various dui fees
- At least $1500 of monetary fine. Minimum $2000 of additional fine if BAC exceeds 0.14. Besides that, you may also be liable to pay an addition up to $10000 of fine if there was an under-18 child (at least 3 years younger than you) in your vehicle.
- Twelve months in jail imprisonment

Third Dui Conviction In Oregon

The following Oregon drunk driving penalties are applicable when you get convicted for the third time.

- Your driving license will be forfeited forever. However, you may be offered an option to apply for a restricted license. If you qualify for a restricted license, you will be required to have ignition interlock device installed in all your vehicles for at least thirty-six months from the date when your license gets reinstated.
- Attending a Victim-Impact Panel Program and completing Alcohol/drug Treatment Program is mandatory
- You will again have to pay at least $300 as various dui fees
- Minimum monetary fine is $2000
- Five years in jail imprisonment
- If the conviction occurs within last ten years, it will be treated as class C felony.

BAC limit allowed in this state is same to the majority of other states – 0.08 for general drivers, 0.02 for under-21 drivers, and 0.04 for commercial drivers. Crossing this BAC limit while you are operating a vehicle will result in certain Oregon drunk driving penalties that will apply after you get convicted by a court.