First Offense DUI Penalties by State
First-offense DUI penalties for every U.S. state: fine ranges, maximum jail, and license suspension.
A first DUI is usually a misdemeanor, but it still carries real consequences: fines, possible jail, a license suspension, and often mandatory education or an ignition interlock. The table summarizes the first-offense range for every state.
| State | Fine range | Max jail | Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Alaska | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Arizona | $500–$2500 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Arkansas | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| California | $390–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Colorado | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Connecticut | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Delaware | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Florida | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 180 days |
| Georgia | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Hawaii | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Idaho | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Illinois | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Indiana | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Iowa | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Kansas | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Kentucky | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Louisiana | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Maine | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Maryland | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Massachusetts | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Michigan | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Minnesota | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Mississippi | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Missouri | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Montana | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Nebraska | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Nevada | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| New Hampshire | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| New Jersey | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| New Mexico | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| New York | $500–$1000 | 12 mo | 90 days |
| North Carolina | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| North Dakota | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Ohio | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Oklahoma | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Oregon | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Pennsylvania | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Rhode Island | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| South Carolina | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| South Dakota | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Tennessee | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Texas | $500–$2000 | 6 mo | 365 days |
| Utah | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Vermont | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Virginia | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Washington | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| West Virginia | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Wisconsin | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
| Wyoming | $500–$1000 | 6 mo | 90 days |
Injury and aggravated enhancements
A DUI that causes injury or death is treated far more seriously — often as a felony with multi-year prison exposure and much larger fines. "Aggravated" DUI (very high BAC, a child passenger, or prior offenses) also raises penalties. The figures above are first-offense, non-injury baselines; always confirm current law with your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a first DUI a felony?
Almost never. A first DUI without injury is usually a misdemeanor, though it still brings fines, possible jail, and a suspension. It becomes a felony if someone is injured or killed.
Do I always go to jail on a first offense?
Not usually. Many first offenders avoid jail through probation, fines, and education programs, but jail is on the table and mandatory in some strict states.
Will my license be suspended immediately?
Often yes — many states impose an administrative suspension right after arrest, separate from the criminal case, even before conviction.