Sometimes Connecticut residents travel to other states, like Montana, for business or pleasure and have the unfortunate luck to be charged with a DUI. If this happens to you, you should first find a qualified DUI lawyer in Montana, but you should also be aware of how Connecticut’s DMV will treat you upon your return.

Montana DUI Penalties

If you have been convicted of a DUI in Montana, you would be convicted of violating 61-8-401 of the Montana statutes.

In Montana, the penalties for DUI can range depending on the number of prior DUI offenses you have.

First offense: The penalties for this offense include 24 hours to six months in jail, and a fine of $300-$1,000.

Aggravated first offense: If you are driving a passenger who is under 16 years of age, the DUI will become an aggravated offense. Jail time will be increased to 48 hours – one year, and the fine will be increased to $600-$2,000. In addition you will have to participate in and pay for the ACT assessment, treatment, and education program, and your license will be suspended for six months.

Second offense: This conviction will result in a jail sentence of between seven days and six months and a fine of $600-$1,000.

Aggravated second offense: Jail time will be increased to between 14 days and one year and the fine will be increased to $1,000-$2,000 for this offense. In addition you will have to participate in and pay for the ACT assessment, treatment, and education program, and your license will be suspended for 12 months.

Third offense: A third offense will result in imprisonment for 30 days to one year and a fine of $1,000-$5,000.

Aggravated third offense: The jail time and fine will be increased for an aggravated third offense. The jail time will increase to 60 days to one year and the fine will increase to $2,000-$10,000. In addition you will have to participate in and pay for the ACT assessment, treatment, and education program, and your license will be suspended for 12 months.

If you are a Connecticut resident who has been charged with or convicted of DUI in Montana, you should be aware that there are repercussions on your Connecticut license in your home state in addition to any license impact in Montana as set forth above.

After hiring a Montana DUI lawyer to help you fight your DUI, you should consider contacting a Connecticut DUI lawyer like our firm or asking us to assist you in retaining one for your home state consequences.