Petersen Law was voted Best of Omaha for 2018 for the 7th year in a row. Each year, consumers in Omaha vote for their favorite businesses. Tom Petersen received the Best Attorney-DUI award. Thank you Omaha!
Thomas M. Petersen was selected as one of the top 50 DUI Lawyers in Nebraska for the 5th year in a row by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
Tom Peterson was selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers.
Tom Petersen is a participating member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The NACDL is the foremost legal fraternity on criminal defense.
Were you recently arrested and charged with aggravated DUI in Nebraska? If so, it is imperative that you understand the reason why your charges are “aggravated” as well as the possible penalties you face if you are convicted of those charges. To ensure that you do understand the situation you find yourself in, an Omaha aggravated DUI attorney at Petersen Law Office explains why a DUI might be charged as an aggravated DUI and explains the corresponding penalties for some of the more serious DUI charges in Nebraska.
DUI in Nebraska Basics
As you probably already know, it is illegal to operate a vehicle in Nebraska with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. If you submit to a chemical test and the results show a BAC over 0.08 percent you will almost certainly be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The question though is whether you will be charged with simple DUI or with a more serious DUI offense.
Aggravated DUI in Nebraska
A motorist’s BAC level can be significantly higher than 0.08 percent, and the higher it is the more dangerous it is for that individual to be operating a vehicle. With that in mind, many states, including Nebraska, provide for increased penalties if a defendant’s BAC level is above a certain percentage. In Nebraska, a BAC level above 0.15 percent (almost double the “legal limit”) raises the offense to an aggravated DUI which increases the penalties if convicted of that offense as follows:
- 1st Offense Aggravated DUI
- Charged as a class W misdemeanor
- Minimum jail time of 7 days
- Maximum jail time 60 days
- Fine of $500
- License suspension of one year
- Alcohol assessment and treatment if deemed necessary
- Shall apply for an ignition interlock device
- If you are given probation you must pay a $500 fine, lose your license for a year and either do two days in jail or perform 120 hours of community service work
- 2nd Offense Aggravated DUI
- Charged as a Class I misdemeanor
- Minimum jail time 90 days
- Maximum jail time one year
- Fine of $1,000
- 1-15 year license revocation
- If you are given probation you will lose your license for 1-15 years; however, you may apply for an ignition interlock device after 45 days. You will also have to pay a $1,000 fine and do 30 days in jail.
- 3rd – 5th Offense Aggravated DUI
- Charged as a Class IIIA – Class II felony
- Minimum jail time 180 days
- Maximum jail time 50 years
- 15-year license revocation
- If probation is given, you must do 60-180 days in jail depending on the level of offense with 60-180 days of CAM after release, license revocation of 5-15 years with an application for interlock device after 45 days and payment of $1,000 fine.
DUI with Serious Bodily Injury in Nebraska
In addition to a motorist’s BAC level, when a DUI results in serious bodily injury in Nebraska the offense is also aggravated and additional penalties apply. Just because you were involved in a collision does not always raise the offense to an aggravated offense. It is important to understand how the state defines “serious bodily injury” when the term applies to a DUI offense. “Serious bodily injury” is defined by statute as “bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, or which involves substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body.” The increased penalties that may be imposed include:
- Charged as a Class IIIA Felony
- Up to 5 years in jail
- Fine of up to $10,000
- Driving privileges revoked for 60 days to 15 years with a mandatory minimum revocation period of 60 days.
Contact an Omaha Aggravated DUI Attorney at Petersen Law Office
If you are currently facing aggravated DUI charges in Nebraska, take the time to consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Contact the Omaha DUI defense attorneys at Petersen Law Office 24 hours a day at 402-513-2180 to discuss your case with an experienced defense lawyer.
Tom Petersen
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