First Offense DUI Charges in RI

As a top-rated Rhode Island DUI attorney with 30+ years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand just how terrifying it can be to face first offense DUI charges in Rhode Island. If you’re convicted, you can be hit with serious penalties—including jail time.

But you certainly didn’t plan to get arrested for DUI, which means navigating the process alone can be extremely overwhelming. That’s exactly why you need an experienced, knowledgeable Rhode Island first offense DUI lawyer who can aggressively advocate on your behalf.

I Got My First DUI, What Can I Expect?

After you get your first DUI charge in Rhode Island, here’s the process you can typically expect:

An arraignment – This is a short appearance in court where you’re formally made aware of the charges against you, bail is set, and you enter a plea of Not Guilty
Discovery – After your arraignment, the next 2-3 weeks are called the Discovery period. Your attorney uses this time to investigate your case and collect evidence
At least one pre-trial conference – During this meeting, your attorney and the prosecutor discuss your case and begin negotiating. This can take several conferences over 1-2 months
Dismissal, negotiation, or trial – One of these 3 things will happen after the pre-trial conference(s). The prosecutor will either dismiss your case due to lack of evidence, negotiate to a less severe charge, or go to trial if they believe they can get you convicted
Trial – If your case goes to trial and you’re found Not Guilty, the process ends here. You have no penalties and you can move on with life. If you’re found Guilty, the judge will sentence you based on the details of your case

Keep in mind that if I recommend you take your case to trial, I’m as certain as I can possibly be of our success. My goal is always to achieve the best possible results in your DUI case.

If you haven’t already hired an experienced, aggressive attorney to represent you, call me now at (401) 861-1155 for your free consultation. The longer you delay, the less time we have to work towards getting your first DUI dismissed.

Penalties for a First Offense DUI in Rhode Island

Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2, the first time DUI penalty varies depending on the details of your arrest. Specifically, your BAC, whether you were impaired by drugs or alcohol, your age at the time of arrest, and whether injury or death occurred to anyone else.

But with the exception of being underage, no matter what the details of your arrest are, you are facing potential jail time for DUI, as well as fines and suspension of your driver’s license.

Penalties for a First Time DUI with BAC Between .08% – .10%

DUI conviction on your criminal record
Up to 1 year in jail
Fines between $100 – $300 plus additional court costs and assessments
Suspension of your driver’s license for 1 to 6 months
10 – 60 hours of mandatory community service
Mandatory DUI education program or alcohol abuse classes

Penalties for a First Time DUI with BAC Between .10% – .15%

DUI conviction on your criminal record
Up to 1 year in jail
Fines between $100 – $500 plus additional court costs and assessments totaling about $1,000
Suspension of your driver’s license for 3 to 12 months
10 – 60 hours of mandatory community service
Mandatory DUI education program or alcohol abuse classes

Penalties for a First Time DUI with Unknown BAC (Due to Breathalyzer Refusal)

DUI conviction on your criminal record
Up to 1 year in jail
Fines between $100 – $500 plus additional court costs and assessments
Suspension of your driver’s license for 3 to 12 months
10 – 60 hours of mandatory community service
Mandatory DUI education program or alcohol abuse classes

Penalties for a First Time DUI Due to Drug Impairment

DUI conviction on your criminal record
Up to 1 year in jail
Up to $500 in fines plus additional court costs and assessments
Suspension of your driver’s license for 3 to 18 months

Penalties for a First Time DUI While Underage

Underage DUI conviction on your criminal record
Fines up to $250
Suspension of your driver’s license for 1 to 3 months
Up to 30 hours of mandatory community service
Mandatory DUI treatment or education program

Penalties for a First Time DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury or Death

Felony DUI conviction on your criminal record
Between 5 and 15 years in prison
Fines between $5,000 and $10,000 plus court costs and assessments
Suspension of your driver’s license for 5 years
Mandatory enrollment in an alcohol treatment program

Get Help from an Experienced, Top-Rated First Offense DUI Lawyer

The biggest thing you need to know is that not all Rhode Island first offense DUI lawyers are the same—not even close. As a result, the lawyer you choose can have a huge impact on the overall outcome of your case.

As your attorney, it will be me, not an associate, overseeing every detail of your case. From reviewing your police reports to standing by you in court, I leverage my 30 years of successful experience through every step of the legal process.

If you or a loved one are facing first offense DUI charges in Rhode Island, don’t wait. Call (401) 861-1155 now for your free case consultation. The sooner you call, the more time we have to craft an ironclad defense strategy.

First Time DUI Offense FAQs

Can a first offense DUI be dismissed in Rhode Island?

Yes, a first offense DUI can be dismissed in Rhode Island if your attorney can prove that certain elements of your case weren’t handled according to legal protocols.

As your first offense DUI lawyer, my top goal is always dismissal and expungement of all charges against you. When you work with me, I personally oversee every detail of your case—I’ll never have associates do my job.

For your free consultation and to discuss options for getting your 1^st DUI charge dismissed, call me at (401) 861-1155.

What are the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction in Rhode Island?

Some of the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction in Rhode Island include:

A DUI conviction that appears on your criminal record and background checks
Inability to perform certain job duties or specific roles for employers
Issues with securing a rental lease, home loan, and other kinds of loans
Higher penalties if you’re arrested for a subsequent DUI within five years
Suspension of your driver’s license and/or installation of ignition interlock

The best way to avoid these potentially life-altering penalties is by working with a top-rated, highly experienced first offense DUI lawyer.

How can a lawyer help with a first offense DUI charge in Rhode Island?

A skilled lawyer can help with a first offense DUI charge in Rhode Island by:

Ensuring all paperwork is properly filled out and submitted on time
Being available 24/7/365 to answer questions about your case
Aggressively defending you during all court appearances and hearings
Suppressing evidence and casting doubt on any witness who testifies against you
Challenging the validity of your field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results
Organizing independent witnesses who can testify in your defense
Working to negotiate with judges and prosecutors for full dismissal of the charges against you

When you choose me to represent you for your first offense DUI in Rhode Island, you can expect all of the above. There’s absolutely nothing I haven’t heard or defended in my 30+ years of successful experience. Call (401) 861-1155 now for your free consultation.