DUI Penalties In Alaska
Reader’s Question:
I was almost arrested for DUI here in Anchorage, Alaska. I am wondering, what are the possible penalties in terms of DUI law violations?
Jerry
Anchorage, AK
Like almost all states in the US impose a harsher penalty especially on drunk driving or driving under the influence of either alcohol or substance. Here in Anchorage, Alaska, the government had been very keen in implementing DUI laws to prevent road accidents. If a person gets arrested for DUI, he will be subject to additional criminal law penalties such as jail time, fines and community service. The worst would be suspension and even revocation of his driver’s license. Suspension of driver’s license can go from a minimum of 90 days up to a maximum of 3 years based on the gravity of the offense as well as the frequency. There is also a great possibility that your vehicle may get confiscated or having an ignition interlock device. Vehicle ignition interlock is a breath-testing device which measures a vehicle operator’s BAC, prevents operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (BAC level of .02). DUI offenders are usually required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device.
These are at least the most common penalties that are being imposed on DUI offenders in Alaska. Just the same, in case you get involved in such DUI cases, I suggest that you seek the counsel of a knowledgeable lawyer that could defend you during proceedings. I also recommend checking for possible affordable auto insurance that caters pre or post DUI cases.
DWI Penalties in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
My brother needs to be prepared of what’s going to happen after being arrested for DWI in Alaska. What are the penalties that he could have if he gets convicted and how does the hearing with the DMV work?
April
Anchorage, AK
After your brother’s DWI arrest in Alaska, it would potentially spark two separate cases. The first one is the DWI criminal offense which is the case that would determine how much he would pay for the crime, including possible jail time. He would also face an administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if he refused to take the blood alcohol test or if the test showed that he was intoxicated. This hearing would decide if he can continue to drive in the state of Alaska. He definitely has the right to plead his case at this hearing, but he should request the hearing within seven days of his arrest or he would automatically lose his license. The hearing would also give him a chance to set forth evidence that might lessen his license suspension time.
Since this is your brother’s first DWI offense, if he will be convicted, he can expect to have punishments which include fines of $250 to $5,000, alcohol education and treatment that cost $20 to $150, community service of 24 hours and 72 hours to one year of jail time.
Alaska DUI Drivers License Suspension?
Reader’s Question:
I was surprised that the police officer immediately confiscated my driver’s license after I was arrested for DUI in Alaska. Isn’t that they have to prove that I was guilty first before they punish me, so how can they do that if I was presumed to be innocent?
Maiya
Anchorage, AK
Unfortunately, that should always be the case in a DUI arrest in Anchorage, Alaska. The Department of Motor Vehicles is actually required by law to immediately suspend the driver’s license of anyone arrested for DUI who has a .08% blood alcohol content, takes a blood or urine test that will be analyzed later or refuses to take any test. The driver’s license is taken on the spot and the DUI suspension is legally effective the moment the police officer signs the notice and hands it to you.
If we view it in another way, the police officer in a drunk driving case is constable, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner and anyone has absolutely no rights. As a matter of fact, if you took a blood or urine test, they don’t even wait for the results (which will come back from the lab days later). Not only they presume you guilty, they also presume that the evidence will eventually show it.
Alaska DWI Charge – What Will It Cost?
Reader’s Question:
What is the cost of punishment for an Alaska DWI charge?
Candice
Anchorage, AK
For a primary Alaska DWI offense, the cash penalty ranges from three hundred dollars to one thousand dollars with additional court costs and other fees. The jail time can be ten days to six months or all may be suspended. You will also be given thirty two community service hours. A substance exploitation assessment and driver enhancement school is necessary. In the occasion that your Blood Alcohol Concentration is over 0.15, you will receive a bare minimum of forty eight hours in jail and a license suspension of ninety days. For a Second Alaska DWI Offense, the cash penalty ranges from seven hundred fifty dollars to one thousand dollars with additional court costs and other fees. The jail time can be thirty days to six months; everything else except for forty eight hours may be suspended. Your community service time will be two hundred forty hours and you will be obligatory to be present at a substance abuse appraisal and driver upgrading school. In the event that your Blood Alcohol Content is over 0.15, the least compulsory jail time is ninety six hours, and your Driver’s License will be suspended for one year.
I hope the listing of punishment given above has helped you in some way.