Like every other state, North Dakota outlaws the act of
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Motorists who are found guilty
of this offense face punishments that vary from time served in jail to loss of
their drivers’ licenses.
People planning on driving in North Dakota need to be aware
of what the legal blood alcohol content limits are for each category of driver.
They also can benefit by knowing what kind of penalties that DUI convictions
can lead to in North Dakota.
DUI in North Dakota
The per se definition of driving under the influence in North Dakota is having a blood alcohol content or BAC of 0.08 percent or higher while operating a motor vehicle. This BAC applies to drivers who are 21 years of age and older. It also applies to drivers who operate privately owned vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Holders of commercial drivers’ licenses or CDLs are held to
a lower BAC standard than the per se DUI definition. The allowable BAC limit
for commercial drivers is lower than 0.04 percent. If they drive with a BAC
higher than that limit, they can be arrested for DUI.
Minors likewise are not allowed to drive under the influence
of drugs or alcohol. They are subject to a DUI arrest if they have a BAC of
0.02 percent or higher.
In North Dakota, it is also possible to be arrested for DUI
even if the car is not in motion. The driver needs to be found in actual
physical control of the vehicle in which he or she is found. If the key is in
the ignition, the driver is in the driver’s seat, the engine is turned on or
the headlights are illuminated, the driver can be arrested for DUI even if the
car is not moving.
DUI Penalties in North Dakota
North Dakota charges DUI as either a misdemeanor or felony.
The first three DUI offenses in the state are charged as misdemeanors. They
carry with them lesser punishments than felony charges.
A first-time DUI in North Dakota is punished with a jail
term of up to 30 days and a fine of $500 to $1500. If the offender has a BAC of
0.16 percent or higher, the fine can increase a minimum of $750, and the jail
term can require a minimum of 48 hours served.
A second DUI in North Dakota can result in a jail term of 10
to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1500. A third DUI leads to a longer jail term
of 120 to 360 days and a fine of $2000 to $3000.
Misdemeanor DUIs in this state also carry with it a
mandatory sentence in a court-approved drug treatment program. Completion of
the program can reduce the amount of time that an offender has to spend behind
bars.
Fourth and subsequent DUIs in North Dakota are charged as
felony offenses. They carry with them harsher penalties. The jail term can be
as long as 15 years, with at least 366 days in jail being mandatory, and a
minimum fine of $2000.
A DUI will be charged as a Class C felony if the offender
had a minor passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense. It is also a
Class C felony if the DUI offender caused serious bodily harm to someone else.
This type of felony can carry penalties like up to five years in jail and a
fine of $10,000.
If the DUI offender caused the death of someone while
driving under the influence, he or she will be charged with a Class A felony.
It carries a prison term of three to 20 years and fines totaling up to $20,000.
Drivers’ licenses Penalties for DUI in North Dakota
In addition to paying fines and serving time in jail, DUI
offenders can also have their licenses suspended. Failing a BAC test leads to a
license suspension of:
- 91
days for a first-time conviction - 365
days for a second conviction - Two
years for a third conviction
Failing a breathalyzer test with a BAC of 0.18 percent or
higher or refusing to take a breathalyzer or chemical test results in a
suspension of:
- 180
days for a first conviction - Two
years for a second conviction - Three
years for a third conviction
People who have their licenses suspended because of a DUI
conviction can apply for a hardship or restricted license during the suspension
period. To qualify for a restricted license, they must agree to use an ignition
interlock device or IID on their vehicle.
They also must be enrolled in 24/7 sobriety program and
complete at least 14 days of their license suspension sentence. If they do not
take part in a sobriety program, offenders must not have any prior DUIs on
their record, and they also must complete at least 30 days of their license
suspension sentence.
North Dakota addresses the crime of driving under the
influence with a myriad of penalties like license suspensions and jail
sentences. This crime can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. Both
carry with them consequences that are designed to dissuade drivers in North
Dakota from driving after drinking or using drugs.