Rhode Island DUI Arrests

As reported by Bryan Rourke in the February 25, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, the Rhode Island State Police made five (5) drunk driving ("DUI") arrests on Thursday night. In four (4) of the five (5) arrests, the motorists did submit to a breathalyzer or blood test to determine their blood alcohol levels.  Only one motorist refused to submit to the chemical test ("Refusal").

The motorists who submit to the breathalyzer had BAC readings over .15.  Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 31-27-2, the penalties for DUI - 1 ^st offense with readings over .15 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.

Rhode Island General Law 31-27-2.1 outlines the penalties for Refusal- 1 ^st offense:

Impose for the first violation 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.