DUI and Court-Ordered Community Service

The courts have many different ways to punish drivers for DUI offenses. For first DUIs, most drivers can avoid jail time. However, they may need to complete probation, which includes court-ordered community service. Community service requires spending time working with a non-profit or community organization.

You may need to do community service to avoid jail time and get your license back after a DUI conviction. To find out more about court-mandated community service after a drunk driving arrest, talk to a DUI defense lawyer.

Do You Have to Do Community Service If You Get a DUI?

Many people who get a drunk driving conviction will face mandatory community service. The courts can use community service in a few different ways, including:

• DUI sentencing penalty
• Condition of probation
• Deferred sentencing

In most states, a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) will result in hefty fines, a suspended driver’s license, and possible jail time. Many judges also impose a community service requirement as part of DUI sentencing. However, DUI penalties depend on the individual situation.

Community service is sometimes an alternative to jail time. When a misdemeanor DUI carries minimum jail time, community service can be part of a suspended sentence to avoid jail. Individuals may also get probation to avoid a jail sentence. Probation comes with many conditions. This can include DUI school, driving with an ignition interlock device (IID), and community service.

Community service can also be part of a plea deal. Your criminal defense attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to get a lesser charge and avoid jail time. The judge may require up to 50 hours or more of community service as part of the plea agreement.

Community service as part of DUI sentencing is generally at the individual judge’s discretion. A local DUI attorney is likely familiar with the individual judges involved in your DUI case. Ask your attorney how your judge treats community service after a first-time DUI charge.

How Many Hours of Community Service Will I Be Required To Do?

The number of community service hours for a DUI will depend on several factors. The court may impose more community service time for aggravated DUI charges or a felony DUI. Community service hours can range from 24 hours for first-time offenders to more than 300 hours for subsequent DUIs.

In some states, community service for a suspended sentence will match the minimum jail time. For example, if state law requires 48 hours in jail for a DUI, the court may grant a suspended sentence requiring 48 hours of community service.

What Types of Community Service Fulfill My DUI Court Order?

Qualifying for community service programs will depend on state law. Many states limit community service to registered non-profit organizations. Depending on the state, churches, schools, and state agencies may also qualify. The court may have a list of qualifying non-profits for community service work. Types of community service groups may include:

• Food banks
• Homeless shelter
• Meal delivery
• Animal shelters
• Church thrift store
• Trail maintenance
• Community park clean-up
• Humane society

If you live in a state different from where you got the DUI, check with the court to ensure your community organization qualifies for your community service hours.

What Happens if I Don’t Complete My Court-Ordered Community Service?

Community service can be part of probation or as an alternative to jail. If you don’t complete the requirements of a suspended sentence, a judge may reimpose jail time. Your probation officer can report it, and the judge can find you in contempt of court. You may have to go to the judge to explain why you couldn’t complete community service.

The judge can add additional community service or fine you for failing to complete your community service days. Community service may also be a condition for reinstating driving privileges after a license suspension.

How Do You Find Qualifying Community Service?

Your criminal court may have a listing of qualifying community work service organizations in your area. Contact the court or your probation officer to find a community service group. If there is a non-profit or church group where you want to do your community service hours, check with the court to make sure they qualify.

Do You Need Proof of Community Service Completion?

Get documentation from the organization that you completed the required community service hours. This should include the total number of hours worked and dates and times worked. Documentation should be on the organization’s letterhead and signed by a person in charge. The documentation should also have contact information for the organization.

How Can a DUI Lawyer Help With Community Service?

Community service is generally better than serving time in jail. Your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to help you get reduced charges or a DUI diversion program. However, you are responsible for completing your community service hours. If you have questions about community service after a DUI arrest, speak with a DUI criminal defense lawyer.