Can I Go to Jail for a First DUI Offense in Pinellas County?

There are different penalties for a DUI depending on how many DUIs you’ve been arrested for or charged with, if there was property damage, what your blood alcohol content was, and whether or not anyone was injured or killed.

Let’s break down the penalties for a first-time DUI offense.

The DUI fine schedule, per section 316.193, Florida Statutes, states:

First conviction:

• Not less than $500 or more than $1,000.
• If blood/breath alcohol level (BAL) was .15 or higher, or if there was a minor in the vehicle, not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000.

Regarding imprisonment, the state of Florida provides:

“At the court’s discretion, sentencing terms may be served in a residential alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program and credited toward the term of imprisonment.”

Additionally, imprisonment for a first conviction is:

• Imprisonment for not more than six months.
• If BAL was .15 or higher, or if there was a minor in the vehicle, imprisonment for not more than nine months.

Additionally, your vehicle may be impounded and you may lose driving privileges for as much as a year for your first offense.

A DUI violation has additional penalties that may be assessed by the court. For more information regarding additional penalties, please see section 316.193, Florida Statutes.