DUI Jail

If you are convicted of driving under the influence, you may face several punishments, including probation, community service, fines, loss of driving privileges, and mandatory attendance at a drug and alcohol program. You may also spend time in jail. The prospect of going to jail is a scary thought, especially for those whose DUI charged is their first experience getting in trouble with the law.

When a driver is pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, the police officer will administer a series of tests to determine if the driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. These include field sobriety testing as well as chemical tests (blood, breath, or urine). If the officer decides to make a DUI arrest based on these results, the suspect will be brought to the jail for booking.

During booking, the police will check their database to look for any outstanding warrants and to confirm that you are who you say you are. Then your photograph, or mug shot, will be taken, and you will be fingerprinted. A water-based solution is sprayed on your fingers, and each finger is pressed onto a small pad and rolled from one side to the other. Your fingerprints are uploaded into the system where they can be cross-checked against other fingerprints in the database.

The last step in the booking process is meeting with the jail nurse, who will ask questions regarding your medical history, drug use, current medications, and known diseases. Females will be asked about possible pregnancy. You may also be tested for tuberculosis (TB).

Next, you will be allowed one free phone call. Typically, you will have 15 minutes to make your phone call; however, if someone doesn’t answer, you may keep calling until someone does.

If you are unable to get out on bond, you will be searched by an officer of the same sex and issued a change of clothes. All of your personal item will be inventoried and kept until you are released.

Do you have questions regarding DUI jail? An experienced DUI defense attorney can help you with your drunk-driving charge and ensure that your rights are upheld.