4 ms·
In most US states the penalties for refusing are just as bad or worse. License suspension, fine, jail time, and revocation of any professional license you hold.
by mordechai9000 3y ago
In most US states the penalties for refusing are just as bad or worse. License suspension, fine, jail time, and revocation of any professional license you hold. Especially CDL, of course. And anyone looking at your record is just going to assume you were operating under the influence and tried to lie your way out of it, selfishly and without any remorse. In the long run, just taking the penalty and taking steps to avoid repeating your mistake is a much better look.
- i_am_jl 3y agoAre there really jurisdictions in the US where the penalty for refusing a chemical test are worse than DUI? That doesn't seem right.
- aidenn0 3y agoCalifornia for one: https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/dui/laws/chemical-test-refusal/ https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/dui/laws/chemical-test-refusal/
- i_am_jl 3y agoNo, the penalties for first DUI are far more harsh than test refusal in CA. Test refusal with 0 DUIs: 48 extra hours in jail; six extra months of required DUI school; 1-year driver’s license suspension 1st misdemeanor DUI: up to 6 months in jail, $390-1000 fine, 6 months IID, 3-9 months of DUI school.
- aidenn0 3y agoJust refusing the test with 0 DUIs is a mandatory license suspension (even if you are not convicted of a DUI), while you can have multiple DUIs without license suspension.
- i_am_jl 3y agoNo, first offense DUI in California mandates a license suspension: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&division=6.&title=&part=&chapter=2.&article=3 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.x.... California's DMV will allow people with a suspended license to drive after they've installed an IID in their vehicle, so most lawyers' websites list that as a penalty instead of a 6 month license suspension.
- aidenn0 3y agoThanks for the correction, I was unaware.
- mordechai9000 3y agoYou are correct for Washington state, at least. I looked it up and the harsher penalties only take effect if you are convicted after a refusal.