DUII Oregon Penalties That You Should Know

Drinking alcohol may seem like a simple act for a good time, but there is so much that can go wrong. Other than impacting your life, driving while intoxicated can ruin someone else’s life.

A DUI, DUII, or DWI essentially means the same thing: a blood alcohol level of at least 0.08 percent. Some states just refer to it in different ways– some say DWI for Driving While Intoxicated, while others simply say DUI for Driving Under the Influence.

In Oregon, you will be charged with a DUII or Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, if you’re pulled over for driving drunk. That is because the state classifies this offense differently than in other states.

Whatever the case, these have profound implications. Not only will you face legal repercussions, but driving drunk can make a difference in someone keeping their lives and losing them. It could be your life, the life of your passenger/s, or someone innocent who happens to be on the street the same time you were driving while intoxicated. 

So before you even think about getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks, read the list below on some facts about Oregon’s DUII Penalties.

6 Facts About DUII Penalties In Oregon

1. Your license can be suspended.

By Oregon law, when you operate a motor vehicle, you inherently consent to submit yourself to a chemical test to see the concentration of substances in your bloodstream. These tests may include a breath test– the first and most common– a urine or blood test.

If you fail or refuse any of these, your license can be suspended.

2. First-time offenders

Penalties for first-time DUII offenders in Oregon may include fines, license suspension, community service, classes, probation, and jail time. Your first DUII conviction is considered a misdemeanor.

For your first conviction, you may have to pay a fine of at least $1,000 and have your license suspended for 90 days. Your second offense would have a fine of at least $1,500 and have your license suspended for one year if you were convicted within five years of the first offense.

The minimum fine for the third and other convictions is $2,000 if you have not been sentenced to prison time. If you committed the third offense within five years of the first and second violations, your license would be suspended for three years. If a fourth conviction occurs within a 10-year period, your license will be permanently revoked.

3. Misdemeanor to felony

In Oregon, a DUII is a Class A misdemeanor. These are punishable with a fine of $1,000 to $6,250 and up to one year in prison or both.

If you’ve been convicted at least three times in ten years before the fourth or subsequent offense, that would be considered a Class C felony. These are punishable by a fine of up to $125,000 and up to five years in prison or both.

​

4. DUII with a minor passenger

If you’ve been convicted of a DUII with a passenger under 18 years old and the minor passenger was three years younger than you, you’ll not only face the previously mentioned DUII penalties, but the maximum fine you may have to pay is $10,000.

‍5. Drivers Under 18

If you’re between 13 to 20 years old at the time of the offense and convicted of an offense involving; possession, use, or abuse of alcohol, the DMV can suspend your privileges when ordered by the court.

This punishment will be effective for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is longer.

‍6. Commercial Drivers

If a commercial driver were convicted of a DUII or commercial DUII for the first time, they would be disqualified from driving any commercial vehicle for one year.

If they were transporting hazardous materials during the time of the violation, they would be disqualified from driving commercial vehicles for three years.

If they commit a second DUII or commercial DUII, they will be disqualified from driving commercial vehicles for life.

Statistics on DUII and Drunk Driving Accidents in Oregon

• In 2019, 167 people lost their lives to alcohol-impaired driving, and 20 of them were under 21.
• In the same year, the percentage of drunk driving fatalities involving drivers with high blood alcohol content– BAC .15– was 74.1%.
• Also in 2019, 75% of fatal crashes involving repeat offenders were of drivers with high BAC, and 16.7% were of drivers with a BAC of .08 to .14.
• In 2019, there was a total of 12,446 people caught driving under the influence, and 88 of those were under 18.
• Drunk driving accounted for 29% of traffic fatalities in 2015.

Oregon DUII Penalties not only exist to punish those breaking the law but also discourage anyone from even attempting to get behind the wheel after drinking. However, law or not, you should know not to drive while intoxicated. No matter how good of a driver you are, you are still putting your life and everyone else's on the street in danger. You might ruin your life by paying a hefty fine or spending some time in jail. But other people might not be as lucky. So, before you even start drinking, make sure you have a ride home without you having to drive yourself.

Start your healing and turn to Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland. You can visit us at 12670 NW Barnes Rd Suite 200, Portland, OR 97229. You may also contact us at 971-269-8124.

Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. This blog aims not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case-to-case basis.