Hawaii is extremely strict when it comes to DUIs, particularly in places like Oahu where there is tourism and a great deal of danger when a driver is drunk on the roads.
The police often employ unannounced checkpoints to catch drivers who are intoxicated and will take steps to get anyone who appears intoxicated off the roads.
A DUI is more often referred to as operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) in Hawaii. A first offense for an OVUII can lead to hundreds of dollars in fines, time in prison and community service.
What are the penalties for a first-offense DUI in Oahu?
First-time offenses may be penalized with:
- 72 hours of community service
- Up to $1,000 in fines and penalties
- Two to five days in prison
If this is not your first offense within the last five years, then the penalties increase rapidly. A second offense is taken so seriously that you could be ordered to participate in 240 hours of community service and up to five days in prison.
Another thing to consider is that the minimum license suspension or revocation is 90 days on a first offense. For second offenses, it’s a year. For third or subsequent offenses, the revocation can last up to five years. On top of that, the ignition interlock device is mandatory, and your vehicle could be confiscated.
You will be ordered to attend mandatory alcohol education along with treatment if you are caught with a DUI.
If this is your first offense, or if you’ve offended before, you need to work with a smart legal team
Working with a legal team helps you protect your interests. Even if you’re facing a DUI, it’s still the reality that you’re not guilty until proven so in court. Since that is the case, it is a smart choice to bring your attorney in on the case right away. From the moment you’re taken to the police station, they can begin assisting with your defense and work to minimize the damage that a DUI does to your reputation and future.
A DUI has the above impacts legally, but you should know that they can affect you in your everyday life, too. You could lose your job, have your career threatened due to the loss of a license or struggle with other parts of your life due to the DUI. Your attorney will do what they can to minimize the DUI’s impact.