Rhode Island DUI Laws and Facts
There were 65 fatalities in motor vehicle accidents in 2008, 29 of which were alcohol related.
Rhode Island has different levels of penalties dependent on the Blood Alcohol Concentration at the time of the infraction. The levels of penalty are as follows:
- .08 BAC
- .15 BAC
- Higher than .15 BAC
First Rhode Island DUI Conviction
- Jail time: One year max. Or ten to sixty hours of community service.
- .08 BAC
- Fine Amount: from $100 to $300
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: From 30 to 180 Days
- .15 BAC
- Fine Amount: from $100 to $400
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: From 3 Months to 12 Months
- Higher than .15 BAC
- Fine Amount: $500
- Highway Assessment Fine: $500
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: From 3 Months to 18 Months
- Mandatory Attendance to Special Course on Driving While Intoxicated
Second Rhode Island DUI Conviction
- Ignition Interlock Device Duration: One to two years
- Attend Alcohol and/or Drug Treatment
- .08 BAC
- Jail Time: From 10 Days to 1 Year
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: From 1 to 2 years
- Fine Amount: Four Hundred Dollars
- Higher than .15 BAC
- Jail Time: From six months to one year
- Fine Amount: One thousand dollars
- Highway Assessment Fine: $500
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: Two years
Third Rhode Island DUI Conviction
- Felony Charge
- Highway Assessment Fee Amount: $500
- Ignition Interlock Device required for two years after sentence is served
- Vehicle May Be Seized
- Attend Alcohol and/or Drug Treatment
- .08 BAC
- Jail Time: from one to three years
- Fine Amount: Four Hundred Dollars
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: from two to three years
- Higher than .15 BAC
- Jail Time: From three to five years
- Fine Amount: Between one thousand and five thousand dollars
- Drivers License Suspension Duration: Three Years
