Wilmington Delaware DUI Lawyer Saagar Shah

What Happens To First Time Offenders in Delaware?

Delaware First Offender

You are DUI in Delaware if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .10% or greater.

First Offense Penalties

Jail

Up to 6 months in jail.

Fines

$230 to $1150 in fines.

Other Fines/ Fees/ Expenses

The State estimates that the real costs to you of a first offense dui charge are as much as $2,400. This does not include lawyer’s fees, the increase in your insurance rates, time and money lost from work, finding alternative transportation, or any potential medical bills resulting from a DUI crash. In addition to the above penalties and costs, DUIs costs you $143.75 to get your license back and $490.00 to take an alcohol program.

License Revocation

1st offense -license revoked up to 12 months.

Conditional Licensing

Available on a 1st offense after 90 day minimum suspension period. Alcohol interlock may be also be required for conditional licensing.

Ignition Interlock

May be required for conditional licensing. Alcohol Ignition Interlock (installed and used at your own expense) is a device that prevents you from operating your car if you have any alcohol in your system.

Under 21

If you drive with a blood alcohol level of .02% or more, you could face up to 1 year in prison and a fine of $230 for the first offense. At the least, you will lose your license automatically for 2 months on a first offense.

Education/Treatment

First offenders take a 16-hour administrative course for $125. With a .20% BAC or greater, you will take a 25-hour treatment program at an outpatient treatment center, a mental health alternative program, or a "21 and under" program. Cost is $490. Programs are mandatory.

Are you Really a First Offender?

In Delaware, the period of time in which a judge or administrator can review an offender’s record (the "look-back" period) is your entire lifetime. This means that you may have had a DUI from decades ago, even in another state, which may prevent you from getting First Offender status, thus exposing you to higher penalties.

Insurance

Your insurance rates will probably climb considerably, and your insurance carrier may drop you. The rates for family members and sometimes your employer can increase as well.

More Serious Charges

You may be charged with felony DUI (possibly leading to much greater penalties) if you are involved in a crash involving serious injury or death.

TYPE OF CASES MY FIRM HANDLES
I handle many types of criminal cases including Drinking and Driving (OWI/UBAC) and Traffic Offenses.

YOU SHOULD HIRE ME IF:
You want an experienced trial attorney who will personally handle your file. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.

IF YOU WANT TO TELL MY LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
I will personally communicate with you. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message with my receptionist. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours or less. My office phone is (302) 472-4900

MY CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
My level of experience, knowledge of the law, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition, my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case allows me to obtain the most favorable results.

MY PHILOSOPHY ON HOW I APPROACH EACH CASES IS:
Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY FIRM YOU SHOULD:
Call for a consultation at (302) 472-4900, during which I can answer all of your questions..