Addiction Alcohol Use Drunk Driving DUI Sentence Enhancement Factors By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Buddy T Updated on July 21, 2019 Print avidcreative/E+/Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Drunk Driving Your Relationship With Alcohol Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery The penalties for a drunk driving conviction are already stiff, but there are circumstances upon which they can become even greater with a DUI sentence enhancement. All states have drunk driving or DUI laws that provide for greater punishment under enhanced sentencing. A drunk driving sentence enhancement can be a legal or factual circumstance that provides for stiffer punishment because of a greater threat to public safety by the driver. These sentence enhancements can include higher fines, longer license suspension and, in a growing number of states, mandatory jail time. DUI Enhancement Factors Although drunk driving laws vary from state to state, here are some of the factors that can trigger DUI sentence enhancements: Prior DUI Conviction: In every state in the U.S. penalties are greater for any driver with a previous drunk driving offense. Some states enhance the sentence for a DUI within the past five years, some 10 years and some states for any previous conviction no matter how long ago it was. High-Level Blood-Alcohol Concentration: More states are beginning to adopt laws that increase penalties for drivers who have high blood-alcohol levels at the time of their arrests. Some states place that level at 0.15 and some states have even greater enhancements for a BAC above 0.20. Refusal to Take a Breath Test: In many states, if you refuse to take a breath test you can be subjected to more penalties that you would have if you submitted to the testing. In some states, refusal means immediate revocation of your license and in other states, it means mandatory jail time. You can no longer be given an enhanced sentence for refusing to take a blood or urine test unless the police first obtain a warrant, the Supreme Court ruled in June 2016. Child Endangerment: If you were caught driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle, your sentence will be enhanced in many states, even if it's your own child. In some states, the enhancement applies for children under age 18 and even greater enhancement for those under 14. Property Damage: If you had a wreck while driving under the influence, your penalties will be greater in most states; even greater if you do not have required auto insurance. Bodily Injury: If you injured someone in your wreck while intoxicated your sentence will be enhanced even more. Other Factors: Other circumstances that can increase your penalties and fines for a DUI conviction include: No valid driver's licenseOn probation for another crimeHaving an open container of alcoholHaving multiple previous convictionsHaving an ignition interlock device on the vehicle Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Digest of Impaired Driving and Selected Beverage Control Laws." January 2007.