Criminal Defense Attorney Clarke Dummit explains the consequences of a DWI.
For a first offense, most people will face a misdemeanor conviction, a 30 to 60 day suspended jail sentence, limited driving privileges for a year, 24 to 48 hours of community service, and somewhere between $300 and $800 in court costs and fines. If there are any aggravating factors, like children in the car, the sentencing will become harsher, but for a first offense with no aggravating factors, this is the most likely scenario.
A second offense within a short period, less than a year, is likely going to be an aggravated level one, or A-1, which is a mandatory one-year prison time. If the second offense is after one year of the first conviction you could be facing vehicle forfeiture and no driving privileges. If the second offense is after three years of the first conviction, then there may be up to a four-year license suspension. A second conviction after seven years drops down to a level 2 and your license is only suspended for one year. So, while the conviction stays on your record forever, the penalties for a second conviction lessen over time.