First DUI? Start Here
Most people charged with DUI have never been through this before. Here is what happens next, in plain language, for your state.
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A first DUI is a misdemeanor in most states. You will usually face two separate cases: a license case with the state, which has a short deadline, and a criminal case in court. Pick your state below to see its deadline and first-offense penalties, each linked to the official source.
Your State
Or compare every state: first-offense penalties by state and license hearing deadlines by state.
Five Things to Do This Week
1.Find your license deadline first
Your license is handled separately from your court case, and in most states you only have days to ask for a hearing. Miss it and the suspension usually starts on its own.
Deadline calculator →2.Write down what happened while you still remember
Where you were stopped, why the officer said they stopped you, which tests you took, and the times. Details fade fast and they matter later.
3.Gather your paperwork
Keep the citation, any license notice or temporary permit, bond or release papers, and tow or impound receipts together in one place.
4.Get legal advice before your first court date
Do not plead guilty at your first appearance without talking to a lawyer or public defender. If you cannot afford one, ask the court about a public defender.
Public defender vs. private lawyer →5.Plan for the cost
Fines are only part of it. Classes, insurance, an interlock device and time off work add up, so it helps to see the full picture early.
Cost calculator →
What First-Timers Ask Most
Arrested in the last day or two?
What to do right now →