You can end up with a DUI arrest in Vermont by one of two ways. First, you can be arrested for DUI by a mere judgment from the officer. If he sees that your driving is impaired in reference to your performance on field sobriety test, or presence of physical signs and symptoms of alcohol intake, then he has enough ground to charge you with DUI. These elements can be argued as circumstantial evidence of impairment for Vermont’s DUI laws.
The second theory for DUI is based on your BAC. Upon the arrest, the officer will ask you to undergo blood alcohol content (BAC) test wherein .08% or higher result can trigger full arrest and conviction. It is an absolute law in Vermont that it is illegal to drive on their public roads with such BAC, even if you are driving is not at all impaired.
DUI Arrest in Vermont
With a DUI arrest in Vermont, you will be facing two separate cases and rendering you different penalties from each authority. First, you will enter the justice system and will be required to appear in all court proceedings. The trial proceedings will ultimately determine the consequences of your crime, including jail time and possible fines. At this point, you should consider yourself getting an attorney who specialized in handling DUI cases to bring your penalties to the minimum level.
Separately, you will face administrative case with Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle. They have both pre-conviction administrative and post-conviction court-ordered with a mandatory punishment depending on the number of times the offense has been committed. You might want to request for hearing with the office a few days after your arrest, otherwise you will have your license suspended automatically. Nevertheless, a lawyer can help you file for the request of hearing and air your side so as to save your driving privilege.
Vermont DUI law provides driver’s license sanctions and increased criminal punishment for drivers who do not submit for a chemical test following a lawful arrest from the police officer.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
Drivers who are convicted by DUI in Vermont for the first time are expected to face the following penalties and punishments:
Vermont DUI offenses are “priorable”, meaning there is no washout period. The current charge is treated as a subsequent offense if you have been convicted of a similar violation before, regardless of the time period when it was committed. Moreover, second time offenders face stricter penalties, while a third Vermont DUI is considered a felony.
License Suspension for Vermont DUI
License suspension for a Vermont DUI offense has more stringent penalties than other states wherein typical suspension times are as follows:
Furthermore, refusal to undergo a BAC test upon request will also give you an additional six months license suspension.
At the reinstatement of your license, you will have to pay $80. You will also be asked to use an ignition interlock device for a period of time after your suspension to check on your breath for alcohol content before allowing your car to start.
Insurance Consequence
With your DUI conviction, there is one more scenario that you will be facing before having your license renewed– your insurance coverage. Your insurance carrier may either cancel your coverage, or drastically increase your insurance rates. Even if you would desire to shift to a new insurance provider, you will still have to settle the same insurance issue as a result of your DUI conviction in Vermont.