Richmond DUI Arrest

As reported by Bryan Rourke in the April 5, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Richmond man was arrested for drunk driving (DUI).  The man had blood alcohol readings of twice the legal limit and was charged with DUI with chemical test readings over .15.   

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 31-27-2, the penalties include:

Every person convicted of a first offense whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, or who is under the influence of a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(1) shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge. The person's driving license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual.

If the man had not submitted to the chemical test, he would also be facing a refusal charge before the Traffic Tribunal. The penalties for refusal are outlined in R.I.G.L. 31-27-2.1 and include a fine in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) to five hundred dollars ($500) and shall order the person to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution. The person's driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of six (6) months to one year. The traffic tribunal judge shall require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual.