Arrested For Your First DUI In South Dakota? We Can Help.
Last updated on October 12, 2026
A first driving under the influence (DUI) arrest can leave you anxious about incarceration, your license and your livelihood. Take a breath. At Alvine Law Firm, LLP, we provide a welcoming, home-like environment where you can determine your next steps without an impersonal, corporate atmosphere. Our Sioux Falls first-time DUI lawyers understand that decent people make mistakes.
What Are The First-Time DUI Penalties In South Dakota?
A first DUI offense in South Dakota carries substantial penalties. Understanding them allows you to replace fear with a strategy:
- Class 1 misdemeanor: This is a criminal charge, not a traffic ticket.
- License suspension: The court must take away your driving privilege for 30 days to one year.
- Fines: You face a fine of up to $2,000, plus court costs.
- Jail time: The maximum is one year in county jail, though judges can suspend some or all of it.
These represent maximum penalties and not automatic consequences.
How A Restricted License Can Keep You Driving To Work Or School
For many people, the most daunting concern is commuting to work. The court may grant a restricted license in South Dakota for employment, education or counseling, occasionally conditioned on the 24/7 Sobriety Program. Our attorneys can petition for this permit on your behalf.
What Happens After A First DUI Arrest In Minnehaha County?
You initially appear before a magistrate judge for an arraignment, where you learn the charge and enter a plea. Our attorneys then scrutinize the police report, video footage and test results. The case may resolve through negotiation, a motion to suppress evidence or trial. Apprehensive about court? Your attorney stands beside you at every hearing.
How Our Attorneys Challenge Stops, Field Tests And Breath Results
An arrest does not guarantee the evidence is reliable. Our attorneys examine whether police adhered to proper procedures.
- Improper stops: Officers require a lawful justification to pull you over, or a court may exclude the resulting evidence.
- Faulty field sobriety tests: Anxiety, uneven pavement and medical conditions can compromise balance tests.
- Breathalyzer errors: Inadequate calibration, residual mouth alcohol and operator mistakes can distort a reading.
Every arrest is unique, so our attorneys begin with the specifics of yours.
Your First Meeting With A Sioux Falls DUI Attorney Is On Us
The first meeting is on us, so there is no risk in talking with our attorneys. A conviction can follow you into job applications, so learn your options early. We represent clients in Sioux Falls, Mitchell and across Minnehaha and Davison counties. To meet with a Minnehaha County DUI attorney at our firm, call 605-476-3974 or request your free consultation online.