About 25,000 people are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Oregon each year. Being charged with a DUI can have lasting effects. Even without prison time. A DUI conviction in Oregon is not expungeable and will stay on your record for life.

Here are some penalties for a DUI conviction in Oregon:

Oregon has a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21, meaning they will fail the test if they have any amount of alcohol in their system. For drivers 21 and older, the legal limit is 0.08% BAC.

First offense
A minimum of 48 hours in jail or 80 hours of community service, a minimum $1,000 fine, and a one-year license suspension. The fine can be as high as $2,000–$6,250 if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.15% or higher. Under certain conditions a first time DUI charge may be eligible for a DUI diversion program. Diversion means that you would take some alcohol classes (usually 90 days with random UAs), not drink or use any controlled substances without a valid prescription for an entire year, attend a victim impact panel and not get another DUI. After the 1 year period the DUI would be dismissed upon successful completion of all the terms of the diversion program.

Second offense
A second offense DUI in Oregon is a serious charge with more severe consequences than a first offense. The minimum fine is $1,500, and it can go up to $6,250. If your BAC was 0.15% or higher, the fine is an additional $2,000. If a minor under 18 was in the vehicle and at least three years younger than the driver, the maximum fine is $10,000. You will be required to complete alcohol classes and attend a victim impact panel and there will likely be a jail or road crew sanction of around 10-30 days depending on the circumstances of the incident. Additionally the court will impose a 3 year license suspension if this is your second DUI within 5 years.

Third offense
A minimum $2,000 fine and a driver’s license revocation for life. If you’ve been convicted of two prior DUIs within the past 10 years, a third DUI conviction would be a felony and result in minimum of 90 days in custody with no programs or good time. A third conviction from any jurisdiction over any timeframe would result in a lifetime revocation of driving privileges, eligible to petition the court for reinstatement after 10 years.

Fourth offense
The penalties in Oregon continue to ramp up with each subsequent conviction and a 4th or subsequent DUI conviction may result in prison time.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, contact us at 541-505-9872 to schedule your confidential case review.