Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime in Rhode Island that police and prosecutors take seriously. However, when a DUI results in serious bodily injury to another person, the penalties are more severe. If you are charged with DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, you can be convicted of a felony, which can result in longer prison sentences, fines, probation, a license suspension and/or a criminal record.
When you are charged with DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, you are being accused of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance and causing serious bodily injury to another person. If you are charged with DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, you do not have to fight the charges alone. The Law Office of David Ellison has experienced Rhode Island DUI lawyers who you can contact about your charges.
What is a Serious Bodily Injury for DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury?
According to Rhode Island General Laws § 31-27-2.6, serious bodily injury means “physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious physical disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
What are the Penalties for DUI With Serious Bodily Injury?
For Your First Conviction:
- Between 1 to 10 years in prison (sentencing judge shall have the discretion to sentence the person to any unit of the adult correctional institutions)
- Potential Probation
- A Felony Conviction
- A fine between $1,000 and $5,000
- Driver's license revocation for up to 2 years
- Substance Abuse Treatment
For Your Second and Subsequent Conviction within a Five-Year Period
- Between 2 to 15 years in prison (sentencing judge shall have the discretion to sentence the person to any unit of the adult correctional institutions)
- Potential Probation
- A Felony Conviction
- A fine between $3,000 and $10,000
- Driver's license revocation for up to 4 years
- Substance Abuse Treatment
It is also important to note that if the victim of the DUI resulting in serious bodily injury dies, you can face additional charges, such as, DUI Resulting in Death. This charge has longer potential prison sentences, larger fines and a longer license revocation period.
Contact DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Lawyer Today
If you are facing charges for DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, it's important to seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible. An experienced Rhode Island criminal defense attorney can help you understand the charges against you and help you come up with a strategy to best fight the charges. The Law Office of David Ellison has lawyers who have represented clients on all different ranges of DUI charges. Contact a DUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Lawyer today at 401-230-5520 today.