How long will I be in jail for a DUI in RI? RI DUI Laws

Jail time for a DUI in Rhode Island

First time: Between 0.08 and 0.1 BAC	Up to 1 year
First time: Between 0.1 and 0.15 BAC	Up to 1 year
First time: Above 0.15 BAC	Up to 1 year
Second time in 5 years: Between 0.08 and 0.15 BAC	10 days to 1 year
Second time in 5 years: Above 0.15 BAC	6 months to 1 year
Third time in 5 years: Between 0.08 and 0.15 BAC	1 to 3 years
Third time in 5 years: Above 0.15 BAC	3 to 5 years
DUI with suspended/revoked/cancelled license	Up to 3 years
DUI over the age of 18 with child in car	Up to 1 year
DUI causing serious bodily harm: First Offense	1 to 10 years
DUI causing serious bodily harm: Second Offense	2 to 15 years
DUI causing death: First Offense	5 to 15 years
DUI causing death: Second Offense	10 to 20 years

Sources are from the Rhode Island Law webserver:

Driving under influence of liquor or drugs

Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in serious bodily injury

Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in death

One of the scariest parts of getting charged with a DUI in RI is being sent to jail. In most DUI arrests, the driver is held in jail for a short period of time.

The consequences as it relates to sentencing for DUI is complicated. It depends on whether it is your first, second, or third conviction within a 5 year period. It also depends on if you are underage or caused serious bodily harm to another person.

Another concerning factor think about is whether or not the DUI is a felony. If it is, you are looking at a longer possible sentence than if you are being charged with a misdemeanor DUI. If it is your first offense, and you didn’t cause bodily harm, you will be charged with a misdemeanor.

The consequences for a DUI an be serious, and you can jump start your defense by knowing exactly what to do when you’re pulled over. It is vitally important to speak to an aggressive and experienced RI DUI lawyer in order to get your charges lessened or dismissed.