What does it really cost to plead guilty to an Overland Park DUI charge or enter into an Overland Park DUI diversion agreement?

Before you decide to hire an Overland Park DUI attorney, you should understand all of the potential costs and penalties that may result from an Overland Park DUI conviction or diversion agreement.  The total cost of an Overland Park DUI charge depends on your circumstances and the charge (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). You will ultimately determine whether to go to trial, plead guilty in hopes of limiting your exposure, or choose diversion (for 1st time DUIs only), and you should know what your DUI could cost you.  We are confident that once you know all of the ways an Overland Park DUI conviction can hurt you, you will want to find the best DUI attorney for you and your case. 

2.    The first expense people think of is attorney’s fees.  This is certainly a very significant expense (my office charges $200/hr), but in many cases is not the biggest cost.  My office’s fees depend on the time spent on a case – meaning a trial will cost more than a plea in most cases.  Costs will go up or down depending on the number of issues that must be presented to the Court and in the administrative hearing – my office simply bills based on time spent on your case.  We have represented people for as little as $500 (it was a VERY exceptional case, so please don’t expect that as a realistic cost for my office to represent you at trial) and as much as $10,000 for a very complex, 5th time DUI trial and the associated preparation.  

3.    There will be a fine with every conviction, as well as court costs.  

i.    First time conviction:  $500-$1000 fine

ii.    Second time conviction:  $1000-$1500 fine

iii.    Third conviction:  $1500-2500 fine

iv.    Fourth conviction:  $2500 fine

v.    Fifth Conviction:  $2500 fine

4.    There will be a driver's license suspension between 30 days and 1 year for every Overland Park DUI conviction, even if you win your administrative hearing.  Kansas does not grant hardships either – they do not care how you will get to work, how your kids will get to school, etc.   Driving while suspended for DUI is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.  The cost for a suspension is from $0 for some folks to hundreds of thousands of dollars for those who will lose their jobs when they can’t get to work on time.  A diversion agreement may prevent a suspension in some cases.

5.    An Overland Park DUI conviction will almost always cause your insurance rates to go through the roof.  Just one DUI conviction can cause your insurance rates to TRIPLE.  This can mean tens of thousands of dollars in additional premiums!  The Kansas Insurance Commissioner's website indicates that a DUI can have a serious negative impact on your driving record.

6.    Treatment costs will range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

7.    Ignition interlocks will be required for most convictions once a person gets their license back.  The companies providing these interlocks are gouging people required to get these devices, with the interlocks often costing more to install and to  “lease” than folks insurance rates were before the DUI.  Figure at least $1000 and up to $3000, depending on the length of your suspension.

8.    Monitoring fees are typically ~$50/month for at least one year and UA’s are about $20 per time.

9.    A conviction on your record could possibly hinder your efforts at obtaining future employment or promotions.  The cost of this factor is obviously hard to ascertain, but will easily add up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for many people.

10.    A conviction will end up in jail time which will almost always result in lost wages.  This cost can be tempered by contrasting the result of going to trial and losing which could result in more jail time and more lost wages.  A trial conviction could also end up in serving so much time that one loses their job when they might not have if they had pled guilty.  At the end of the day, the judge will decide the sentence for a person convicted and could give fewer days than the proposed plea agreement called for (I have personally had this happen to clients) or many more.

11.    A conviction may subject you to embarrassment or ridicule with friends, family, and coworkers.

12.    Conclusion:  It is extremely important to consider all costs when deciding how to proceed on your case.

The attorneys and staff in our law office provide professional & affordable representation to drivers charged with drunk driving (DUI/DWI) in Overland Park Municipal Court.

If you have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Overland Park, you want a DUI lawyer with extensive knowledge of the drunk driving laws in Overland Park and Kansas. You want an Overland Park DUI attorney who has experience with DUI trials, pleas, and diversions in Overland Park Municipal Court and Johnson County District Court.  You need an attorney who understands how to interpret and challenge breathalyzer results, and who can effectively represent you at a drivers license suspension hearing with the Kansas Department of Revenue.

You also want an attorney who will keep you informed about your Overland Park DUI case and its progression.  You want an attorney who will send you copies of important corrrespondence, documents, or videos in your case, and you want an attorney who will respond to your phone calls and other communication.

At the Law Offices of Jeremiah Johnson, LLC, we strive to represent all of our clients in the best manner possible, fighting for their rights and well being at every opportunity while treating them with the respect they deserve.  We are well versed in all of the relevant DUI and COnstiutional law that surrounds each and every Overland Park DUI case.  Perhaps more importantly, however, we care about our clients and their well being.  We understand that an Overland Park DUI charge can leave you feeling a number of emotions and we do our best to make sure our clients are well informed about the law surrounding their Overland Park DUI case as well as about their case progress. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your Overland Park DUI charge.

How does a typical DUI charge in Overland Park Municipal Court progress?

Before you read any further, please note the following:  The most important thing to remember in any Overland Park DUI case is that you only have 10 business days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative Hearing with the Kansas Department of Revenue or your license will be automatically suspended for a period between 30 days and life, with no "hardship licenses," being granted. This 10 day period is an ABSOLUTE deadline - if you're even a day late, the Department of Revenue will ignore your request and automatically suspend you license, whether you're guilty or not!  This makes it crucial to immediately contact an experienced Overland Park DUI attorney.

The Overland Park Kansas DUI Process

Overland Park, Kansas driving under the influence (DUI) charges/arrests almost always involve two distinct and separate parts:

(1) the criminal proceedings in Overland Park Municipal Court or Johnson County District Court and can result in fines and/or jail time, probation, and court ordered treatment; and

(2) the administrative proceedings with the Kansas Department of Revenue, which can result in the suspension of your driving privileges. It is extremely important to pay attention to both the criminal court case and the administrative driver's license case, as the deadlines, rules, procedures and burdens of proof are entirely different and usually unrelated. At the administrative level, the Kansas Department of Revenue seeks to take your license from you.

The Dept. of Revenue does not care if you have no other means to get to work and they do not care if your family will be affected by the loss of your license.  They do not consider it their problem that without a license you may nto be able to get to work or attend court ordered treatment.  In fact, Kansas does not grant hardship licenses - you will either be suspended for the time period proposed by the Department of Revenue or you won't.

This is probably the most frustrating part of the entire DUI process in Overland Park and Kansas in general - the suspension of a license necessary for a person to complete their probation, treatment and other Court ordered aspects and also necessary for a person to get to work so they can take care of themselves, their family and pay their Court ordered costs. This area of the country demands that a person have a license to live their daily lives.

The Kansas DUI statutes are some of the toughest in the entire country with license suspensions and jail time required for every driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Overland Park. If you are charged with a DUI in Overland Park, you face the following consequences:

1. Jail time - A first time conviction in Overland Park is punishable by up to 6 months in the Johnson County jail and subsequent offenses are punishable by up to 1 year.  Probation is granted for most Overland Park DUI convictions, but the amount of jail time to be served before probation is granted will depend on the circumstances surrounding the charge.  This law office has had considerable success in arguing to courts that our clients convicted in Overland Park should only be required to serve the statutory minimum jail time instead of the maxiumum sentence allowed by law.  Depending on the circumstances, we may be also to secure a diversion (which carries no jail time and does not techinically count as a conviction), or enrollment in the CWIP class which is a non-traditional jail facility which some of our clients find very preferable to jail.

2. Fines - A first time DUI in Overland Park carries a fine between $500 and $1000, while subsequent fines range up to $2500.  We have had success in ensuring that our Overland Park DUI clients pay no more than the minimum fine allowed by statute.

 3. Suspension of your drivers license by the Kansas Department of Revenue's Driver Control Bureau - A first time Overland Park conviction or first time Intoxilyzer 8000 test failure carries a minimum suspension of 30 days with a 330 day restriction (school, work and a few other items) if you blow between a .08 and a .15 and a 1 year suspenstion if you blow over .15.  Refusing to take the Intoxilyzer 8000 test carries a 1 year suspension if it is your first DUI "occurrence" as defined by the Kansas Department of Revenue. Subsequent breath test failures or refusals can result in a lifetime driver's license revocation.  The penalties for subsequent breath test failures and refusals are listed on the back of the "pink sheet," called a DC-27 that is normally given to the driver in a DUI case.

 4. Probation Costs and Hassles - If you're convicted of DUI in Overland Park through a guilty plea or by being found guilty at trial, probation is often granted. If it is, you will be ordered to meet with a probation officer with Overland Park Court Services one or more times each month. You may also be required to submit to urinalysis (UA's) and breathalyzers upon demand. You will be ordered by the court to stay out of establishments that serve alcohol. You will also be ordered to complete a "drug and alcohol evaluation" and follow the recommendations which will likely include classes and inpatient or outpatient treatment.

A probation in Overland Park can cause friction with your employer and your family.  Oftentimes meetings are scheduled during the workday and completing a UA for Overland Park can also require you to leave your job.  The Court Services officer may not care that doing so could cause you to lose your job or miss important events with your family.  If you miss a meeting or a UA, you could find yourself facing a probation revocation proceeding where you could then be ordered to serve months in jail.

Thus you may find yourself in the dilemma of juggling a job necessary to pay your bills, take care of your family, and pay for the Overland Park court fines, while having to miss work frequently to take Court ordered UA's, probation meetings, or alcohol classes and having to complete all of the above without a valid driver's license.  We truly understand that this is not easy.

 5. Court Costs and Monitoring Fees - In addition to the fines prescribed by the Overland Park DUI statutes, you will be responsible for court costs and monitoring fees which can range into hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  You will also have to pay for any classes or treatment that are ordered by the Court or your probation officer.

 6. Social Effects - An Overland Park DUI can affect your job status and eligibility, can subject you to ridicule from family and friends and the penalties may seriously affect your daily life.

 At the Law Offices of Jeremiah Johnson, LLC, we recognize that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that being charged with a DUI is not remotely the same as being convicted of a DUI. While many people accept DUI tests as irrefutable evidence, in actuality Breathalyzers and field side sobriety tests (FST's) can be highly inaccurate under certain conditions. We believe that the FST's and Breathalyzers used are some of the most inaccurate and unreliable methods of gathering evidence in all of law enforcement. As a result, we believe in exploring every angle relating to the FST's and Breathalyzer results when evaluating your case to ensure that your rights are protected.

In most Johnson County DUI cases, you only have 10 days from your arrest to request a hearing to determine if your license will be suspended, and if so, for how long. Suspensions range from as short as 30 days (with a 330 day suspension) to lifetime suspensions with no eligibility for reinstatement. Thus, it is highly suggested that you retain an experienced Johnson County, Kansas DUI attorney immediately to protect your rights and driving privileges.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Overland Park, there are a number of possible outcomes:

1.  Dismissal – DUI cases are rarely dismissed in any Kansas Court.  This is because the Kansas DUI statute, KSA 8-1567, specifically disapproves a dismissal of a DUI charge without the Court’s consent.  What this means is that a prosecutor cannot simply review a case and dismiss it, they must request permission to do so from the judge.  The lawyers in our office have successfully worked to have DUI cases dismissed, but please understand that this is an extremely rare outcome.

2.  Diversion –  An Overland Park DUI Diversion is essentially a contract between the prosecutor’s office and the defendant.  The prosecutor’s office agrees to suspend their prosecution of the defendant for a 12 month period and agrees to dismiss the case if the defendant complies with the diversion terms.   These terms usually include ~$1000 infines, fees, and costs; submitting to a drug and alcohol evaluation (called an “ADSAP”) and following the recommendations from it; abstaining from drugs and alcohol for 12 months, while submitting to random urine analysis; not picking up any new criminal charges for a 12 month period; and completing various other requirements.  KSA 8-1567 only allows a diversion for first time DUI charges, and sets up a number of requirements and conditions for diversion contracts to be offered.

3.  An advantageous guilty plea – If you do not have a valid defense and are either not eligible or are not approved for diversion, a guilty plea for your Overland Park DUI charge may be your best option.  A guilty plea is an agreement between the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, and the prosecutor to recommend a sentence to the Court in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea.  Guilty pleas for Overland Park DUI charges also may involve the dismissal of companion charges, or amendments to lesser offenses.  While judges are not bound by plea agreements, a guilty plea is often the best option for reducing your exposure to a Overland Park DUI charge.

4.  Acquittal through trial – To be acquitted at trial, you will either go tot trial in front of a judge Overland Park Municipal Court or in front of a jury in Johnson County District Court.  No matter how good the facts of your case are, there are no guarantees at trial.

5.  Dismissal due to a Motion to Suppress – One of the best ways to secure an acquittal is through a Motion to Suppress filed in either Johnson County District Court or Overland Park Municipal Court.  Such a motion is a request that the Court suppress certain evidence that was gathered due to a Constitutional violation or a procedural violation.  In the terms of a Overland Park DUI charge, such a Motion might be filed due to an illegal stop.  If the Judge agreed with the Motion, then all evidence gathered by the police after the stop would be ruled inadmissible and your case would almost certainly be dismissed by the prosecutor.  Another such Motion to Suppress might be filed because guidelines or procedures required for a valid Overland Park Intoxilyzer 8000 test were not complied with.  If the breath test were ruled inadmissible, then your case’s chances at trial would be greatly improved.  We have posted a Motion which was successfully argued in Overland Park Municipal Court - you can view it by clicking on the following links:Page 1  - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6

6.  Conviction through trial - If you choose to take your case to trial in Overland Park Municipal Court or Johnson County District Court, but you do not prevail, you will be convicted of the DUI charge.  The penalties associated with a Overland Park DUI conviction will depend on the judge who will make a determination based on the circumstances surrounding your case.

Regardless of which path you choose to take, the attorneys and staff of our law office will be happy to represent you in your Overland Park DUI case.  Our representation typically starts with a free consultation in our office to discuss your DUI case.  At that meeting we will discuss the details of your case as you remember then and along with the paperwork you have, including the DC-27 that the Overland Park officers gave you when they took your license.  We will also draw up a free agreement for you to take home and review. 

The first step in our actual representation almost always involves requesting an administrative hearing with the Kansas Department of Revenue that will allow you to at least temporarily avoid a driver’s license suspension.  We will also request the police reports and in-car videos from the Overland Park Police Department and we will send you copies of these once we receive them.

Once we have all of the available evidence, we will analyze your case taking into account all relevant DUI case law, your circumstances, your expectations for the case, our experience in with similar DUI cases in Overland Park and throughout Johnson County.

How Long Will Your Driver's License Be Suspended as a Result of the Overland Park DUI charge?

The term of driver's license suspension that you face depends upon several factors: (1)whether you failed the chemical test or whether you refused to submit to it; (2)whether this is your first or subsequent test failure or refusal; and (3)whether you are over or under 21 years of age. The length of the suspension ranges from 30 days to permanent revocation of driving privileges, please call us for more information about your specific case. People charged with an Overland Park, Kansas DUI are entitled to an administrative hearing with the Kansas Department of Revenue where the driver or their Overland Park DUI lawyer can challenge the grounds upon which your license is suspended.

If you or your Overland Park DUI attorney requests an administrative hearing in a timely manner, your driving privileges cannot be suspended until a decision has been made by the hearing officer. In other words, the validity of your temporary driving privileges is extended until after the hearing which is frequently scheduled months after the request. The DC-27 or "pink sheet" will then serve as your license.

In Johnson County, DUI Administrative Hearings are usually scheduled at least 3 months after the Overland Park DUI arrest. Prior to the hearing, you can subpoena certain documents and witnesses who may have information about your case.

The Administrative Hearing

The difficult part of the Department of Revenue Administrative Hearings is that the burden of proof is shifted- instead of the state having to prove that you are guilty and your license should be suspended, you have to the burden of proving that your license should not be taken from you.  This is contrary to all areas of criminal law where the doctrine of "guilty until proven innocent," is one of the hallmarks of our legal system.

At the Kansas DUI administrative hearing, a number of issues can be raised in your defense, depending on the facts of your case. These issues include:
(1)whether or not the officer had reasonable grounds to believe that you were operating or attempting to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
(2)whether you were given the legally required notices before being asked to submit to testing;
(3)whether your actions constituted a legal refusal to take the test;
(4)whether the testing equipment and the officer operating the machine were certified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE);
(5)whether there were other due process or constitutional issues.

If you are successful at the hearing, or if the officer fails to appear without requesting a continuance of the hearing in writing, your license may not be administratively suspended at all. However, you or your Kansas DUI attorney must send a letter requesting an administrative hearing to the Kansas Department of Revenue within 10 calendar days of the day you received the DUI or your driving privileges will automatically be suspended, period. Thus, it is critical that you quickly retain a well-qualified Kansas DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible after the arrest.

Possible Driver's License Suspensions from a Overland Park DUI include:

TEST FAILURE

1st time Intoxilyzer 5000/8000 test failure between .08 and .149: Driving privileges are suspended for 30 days and restricted to driving to and from work, during the course of employment, and to school for 330 days. The reinstatement fee is $100.00.

1st time Intoxilyzer 5000/8000 test failure above .150: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by one year of restriction to only driving a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.

 2nd and 3rd test failures between .08 and .149: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by one year of restriction to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. The reinstatement fee is $200.00.

2nd test failure of .150 or higher: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by 2 years of ignition interlock.

3rd test failure of .150 or higher: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by 3 years of ignition interlock.

4th test failure of .08 and .149: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by one year of restriction to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. The reinstatement fee is $300.00.

4th test failure of .150 or higher: Driving privileges are suspended for one year followed by 4 years of ignition interlock.

5th test failure: Permanent revocation. The license is suspended for the rest of the person's lifetime and there is no provision currently provided in the law for reinstatement.

TEST REFUSAL

1st Time Refusal: Driving privileges are suspended for one year. The reinstatement fee is $400.00.

2nd Time Refusal: Driving privileges are suspended for two years. The reinstatement fee is $600.00.

3rd Time Refusal: Driving privileges are suspended for three years. The reinstatement fee is $800.00

4th Time Refusal: Driving privileges are suspended for ten years. The reinstatement fee is $1,000.00

5th Time Refusal: Driving privileges are suspended FOREVER. The license is suspended for the rest of the person's lifetime and there is no provision currently provided in the law for reinstatement.

For experienced and aggressive representation in the defense of a DUI charge in Olathe, contact my offices to schedule a free initial consultation. My offices are open from 7 am until 6 pm, Monday through Friday and evening and weekend hours are available by appointment. I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

The Kansas DUI Statute:

This is the statute adopted by Overland Park's municipal code.

      8-1567.   Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; blood alcohol concentration; penalties. [See Revisor's Note] (a) No person shall operate or attempt to operate any vehicle within this state while:

      (1)   The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath as shown by any competent evidence, including other competent evidence, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of K.S.A. 8-1013, and amendments thereto, is .08 or more;

      (2)   the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath, as measured within two hours of the time of operating or attempting to operate a vehicle, is .08 or more;

      (3)   under the influence of alcohol to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle;

      (4)   under the influence of any drug or combination of drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle; or

      (5)   under the influence of a combination of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle.

      (b)   No person shall operate or attempt to operate any vehicle within this state if the person is a habitual user of any narcotic, hypnotic, somnifacient or stimulating drug.

      (c)   If a person is charged with a violation of this section involving drugs, the fact that the person is or has been entitled to use the drug under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against the charge.

      (d)   Upon a first conviction of a violation of this section, a person shall be guilty of a class B, nonperson misdemeanor and sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than six months' imprisonment, or in the court's discretion 100 hours of public service, and fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. The person convicted must serve at least 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment or 100 hours of public service either before or as a condition of any grant of probation or suspension, reduction of sentence or parole.

      In addition, the court shall enter an order which requires that the person enroll in and successfully complete an alcohol and drug safety action education program or treatment program as provided in K.S.A. 8-1008, and amendments thereto, or both the education and treatment programs.

      (e)   On a second conviction of a violation of this section, a person shall be guilty of a class A, nonperson misdemeanor and sentenced to not less than 90 days nor more than one year's imprisonment and fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500. The person convicted must serve at least five consecutive days' imprisonment before the person is granted probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole or is otherwise released. The five days' imprisonment mandated by this subsection may be served in a work release program only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment, provided such work release program requires such person to return to confinement at the end of each day in the work release program. The court may place the person convicted under a house arrest program pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4603b, and amendments thereto, to serve the remainder of the minimum sentence only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment.

      As a condition of any grant of probation, suspension of sentence or parole or of any other release, the person shall be required to enter into and complete a treatment program for alcohol and drug abuse as provided in K.S.A. 8-1008, and amendments thereto.

      (f) (1)   On the third conviction of a violation of this section, a person shall be guilty of a nonperson felony and sentenced to not less than 90 days nor more than one year's imprisonment and fined not less than $1,500 nor more than $2,500. The person convicted shall not be eligible for release on probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole until the person has served at least 90days' imprisonment. The 90 days' imprisonment mandated by this paragraph may be served in a work release program only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment, provided such work release program requires such person to return to confinement at the end of each day in the work release program. The court may place the person convicted under a house arrest program pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4603b, and amendments thereto, to serve the remainder of the minimum sentence only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment.

      (2)   The court may order that the term of imprisonment imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) be served in a state facility in the custody of the secretary of corrections in a facility designated by the secretary for the provision of substance abuse treatment pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 21-4704, and amendments thereto. The person shall remain imprisoned at the state facility only while participating in the substance abuse treatment program designated by the secretary and shall be returned to the custody of the sheriff for execution of the balance of the term of imprisonment upon completion of or the person's discharge from the substance abuse treatment program. Custody of the person shall be returned to the sheriff for execution of the sentence imposed in the event the secretary of corrections determines: (A) That substance abuse treatment resources or the capacity of the facility designated by the secretary for the incarceration and treatment of the person is not available; (B) the person fails to meaningfully participate in the treatment program of the designated facility; (C) the person is disruptive to the security or operation of the designated facility; or (D) the medical or mental health condition of the person renders the person unsuitable for confinement at the designated facility. The determination by the secretary that the person either is not to be admitted into the designated facility or is to be transferred from the designated facility is not subject to review. The sheriff shall be responsible for all transportation expenses to and from the state correctional facility.

      The court shall also require as a condition of parole that such person enter into and complete a treatment program for alcohol and drug abuse as provided by K.S.A. 8-1008, and amendments thereto.

      (g) (1)   On the fourth or subsequent conviction of a violation of this section, a person shall be guilty of a nonperson felony and sentenced to not less than 90 days nor more than one year's imprisonment and fined $2,500. The person convicted shall not be eligible for release on probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole until the person has served at least 90 days' imprisonment. The 90 days' imprisonment mandated by this paragraph may be served in a work release program only after such person has served 72 consecutive hours' imprisonment, provided such work release program requires such person to return to confinement at the end of each day in the work release program.

      (2)   The court may order that the term of imprisonment imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) be served in a state facility in the custody of the secretary of corrections in a facility designated by the secretary for the provision of substance abuse treatment pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 21-4704, and amendments thereto. The person shall remain imprisoned at the state facility only while participating in the substance abuse treatment program designated by the secretary and shall be returned to the custody of the sheriff for execution of the balance of the term of imprisonment upon completion of or the person's discharge from the substance abuse treatment program. Custody of the person shall be returned to the sheriff for execution of the sentence imposed in the event the secretary of corrections determines: (A) That substance abuse treatment resources or the capacity of the facility designated by the secretary for the incarceration and treatment of the person is not available; (B) the person fails to meaningfully participate in the treatment program of the designated facility; (C) the person is disruptive to the security or operation of the designated facility; or (D) the medical or mental health condition of the person renders the person unsuitable for confinement at the designated facility. The determination by the secretary that the person either is not to be admitted into the designated facility or is to be transferred from the designated facility is not subject to review. The sheriff shall be responsible for all transportation expenses to and from the state correctional facility.

      At the time of the filing of the judgment form or journal entry as required by K.S.A. 21-4620 or 22-3426, and amendments thereto, the court shall cause a certified copy to be sent to the officer having the offender in charge. The law enforcement agency maintaining custody and control of a defendant for imprisonment shall cause a certified copy of the judgment form or journal entry to be sent to the secretary of corrections within three business days of receipt of the judgment form or journal entry from the court and notify the secretary of corrections when the term of imprisonment expires and upon expiration of the term of imprisonment shall deliver the defendant to a location designated by the secretary. After the term of imprisonment imposed by the court, the person shall be placed in the custody of the secretary of corrections for a mandatory one-year period of postrelease supervision, which such period of postrelease supervision shall not be reduced. During such postrelease supervision, the person shall be required to participate in an inpatient or outpatient program for alcohol and drug abuse, including, but not limited to, an approved aftercare plan or mental health counseling, as determined by the secretary and satisfy conditions imposed by the Kansas parole board as provided by K.S.A. 22-3717, and amendments thereto. Any violation of the conditions of such postrelease supervision may subject such person to revocation of postrelease supervision pursuant to K.S.A. 75-5217 et seq., and amendments thereto and as otherwise provided by law.

      (h)   Any person convicted of violating this section or an ordinance which prohibits the acts that this section prohibits who had one or more children under the age of 14 years in the vehicle at the time of the offense shall have such person's punishment enhanced by one month of imprisonment. This imprisonment must be served consecutively to any other minimum mandatory penalty imposed for a violation of this section or an ordinance which prohibits the acts that this section prohibits. Any enhanced penalty imposed shall not exceed the maximum sentence allowable by law. During the service of the enhanced penalty, the judge may order the person on house arrest, work release or other conditional release.

      (i)   The court may establish the terms and time for payment of any fines, fees, assessments and costs imposed pursuant to this section. Any assessment and costs shall be required to be paid not later than 90 days after imposed, and any remainder of the fine shall be paid prior to the final release of the defendant by the court.

      (j)   In lieu of payment of a fine imposed pursuant to this section, the court may order that the person perform community service specified by the court. The person shall receive a credit on the fine imposed in an amount equal to $5 for each full hour spent by the person in the specified community service. The community service ordered by the court shall be required to be performed not later than one year after the fine is imposed or by an earlier date specified by the court. If by the required date the person performs an insufficient amount of community service to reduce to zero theportion of the fine required to be paid by the person, the remaining balance of the fine shall become due on that date.

      (k) (1)   Except as provided in paragraph (5), in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed upon a first conviction of a violation of this section, the court may order that the convicted person's motor vehicle or vehicles be impounded or immobilized for a period not to exceed one year and that the convicted person pay all towing, impoundment and storage fees or other immobilization costs.

      (2)   The court shall not order the impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle driven by a person convicted of a violation of this section if the motor vehicle had been stolen or converted at the time it was driven in violation of this section.

      (3)   Prior to ordering the impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle or vehicles owned by a person convicted of a violation of this section, the court shall consider, but not be limited to, the following:

      (A)   Whether the impoundment or immobilization of the motor vehicle would result in the loss of employment by the convicted person or a member of such person's family; and

      (B)   whether the ability of the convicted person or a member of such person's family to attend school or obtain medical care would be impaired.

      (4)   Any personal property in a vehicle impounded or immobilized pursuant to this subsection may be retrieved prior to or during the period of such impoundment or immobilization.

      (5)   As used in this subsection, the convicted person's motor vehicle or vehicles shall include any vehicle leased by such person. If the lease on the convicted person's motor vehicle subject to impoundment or immobilization expires in less than one year from the date of the impoundment or immobilization, the time of impoundment or immobilization of such vehicle shall be the amount of time remaining on the lease.

      (l) (1)   Except as provided in paragraph (3), in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed upon a second or subsequent conviction of a violation of this section, the court shall order that each motor vehicle owned or leased by the convicted person shall either be equipped with an ignition interlock device or be impounded or immobilized for a period of two years. The convicted person shall pay all costs associated with the installation, maintenance and removal of the ignition interlock device and all towing, impoundment and storage fees or other immobilization costs.

      (2)   Any personal property in a vehicle impounded or immobilized pursuant to this subsection may be retrieved prior to or during the period of such impoundment or immobilization.

      (3)   As used in this subsection, the convicted person's motor vehicle or vehicles shall include any vehicle leased by such person. If the lease on the convicted person's motor vehicle subject to impoundment or immobilization expires in less than two years from the date of the impoundment or immobilization, the time of impoundment or immobilization of such vehicle shall be the amount of time remaining on the lease.

      (m)   The court shall report every conviction of a violation of this section and every diversion agreement entered into in lieu of further criminal proceedings or a complaint alleging a violation of this section to the division. Prior to sentencing under the provisions of this section, the court shall request and shall receive from the division a record of all prior convictions obtained against such person for any violations of any of the motor vehicle laws of this state.

      (n)   For the purpose of determining whether a conviction is afirst, second, third, fourth or subsequent conviction in sentencing under this section:

      (1)   "Conviction" includes being convicted of a violation of this section or entering into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings on a complaint alleging a violation of this section;

      (2)   "conviction" includes being convicted of a violation of a law of another state or an ordinance of any city, or resolution of any county, which prohibits the acts that this section prohibits or entering into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings in a case alleging a violation of such law, ordinance or resolution;

      (3)   any convictions occurring during a person's lifetime shall be taken into account when determining the sentence to be imposed for a first, second, third, fourth or subsequent offender;

      (4)   it is irrelevant whether an offense occurred before or after conviction for a previous offense; and

      (5)   a person may enter into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings for a violation of this section, and amendments thereto, or an ordinance which prohibits the acts of this section, and amendments thereto, only once during the person's lifetime.

      (o)   Upon conviction of a person of a violation of this section or a violation of a city ordinance or county resolution prohibiting the acts prohibited by this section, the division, upon receiving a report of conviction, shall suspend, restrict or suspend and restrict the person's driving privileges as provided by K.S.A. 8-1014, and amendments thereto.

      (p) (1)   Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as preventing any city from enacting ordinances, or any county from adopting resolutions, declaring acts prohibited or made unlawful by this act as unlawful or prohibited in such city or county and prescribing penalties for violation thereof. Except as specifically provided by this subsection, the minimum penalty prescribed by any such ordinance or resolution shall not be less than the minimum penalty prescribed by this act for the same violation, and the maximum penalty in any such ordinance or resolution shall not exceed the maximum penalty prescribed for the same violation.

      Any such ordinance or resolution shall authorize the court to order that the convicted person pay restitution to any victim who suffered loss due to the violation for which the person was convicted. Except as provided in paragraph (5), any such ordinance or resolution may require or authorize the court to order that the convicted person's motor vehicle or vehicles be impounded or immobilized for a period not to exceed one year and that the convicted person pay all towing, impoundment and storage fees or other immobilization costs.

      (2)   The court shall not order the impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle driven by a person convicted of a violation of this section if the motor vehicle had been stolen or converted at the time it was driven in violation of this section.

      (3)   Prior to ordering the impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle or vehicles owned by a person convicted of a violation of this section, the court shall consider, but not be limited to, the following:

      (A)   Whether the impoundment or immobilization of the motor vehicle would result in the loss of employment by the convicted person or a member of such person's family; and

      (B)   whether the ability of the convicted person or a member of such person's family to attend school or obtain medical care would be impaired.

      (4)   Any personal property in a vehicle impounded or immobilized pursuant to this subsection may be retrieved prior to or during the period of such impoundment or immobilization.

      (5)   As used in this subsection, the convicted person's motor vehicle or vehicles shall include any vehicle leased by such person. If the lease on the convicted person's motor vehicle subject to impoundment or immobilization expires in less than one year from the date of the impoundment or immobilization, the time of impoundment or immobilization of such vehicle shall be the amount of time remaining on the lease.

      (q)   No plea bargaining agreement shall be entered into nor shall any judge approve a plea bargaining agreement entered into for the purpose of permitting a person charged with a violation of this section, or a violation of any ordinance of a city or resolution of any county in this state which prohibits the acts prohibited by this section, to avoid the mandatory penalties established by this section or by the ordinance. For the purpose of this subsection, entering into a diversion agreement pursuant to K.S.A. 12-4413 et seq. or 22-2906 et seq., and amendments thereto, shall not constitute plea bargaining.

      (r)   The alternatives set out in subsections (a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(3) may be pleaded in the alternative, and the state, city or county, but shall not be required to, may elect one or two of the three prior to submission of the case to the fact finder.

      (s)   Upon a fourth or subsequent conviction, the judge of any court in which any person is convicted of violating this section, may revoke the person's license plate or temporary registration certificate of the motor vehicle driven during the violation of this section for a period of one year. Upon revoking any license plate or temporary registration certificate pursuant to this subsection, the court shall require that such license plate or temporary registration certificate be surrendered to the court.

      (t)   For the purpose of this section: (1) "Alcohol concentration" means the number of grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or per 210 liters of breath.

      (2)   "Imprisonment" shall include any restrained environment in which the court and law enforcement agency intend to retain custody and control of a defendant and such environment has been approved by the board of county commissioners or the governing body of a city.

      (3)   "Drug" includes toxic vapors as such term is defined in K.S.A. 65-4165, and amendments thereto.

      (u)   The amount of the increase in fines as specified in this section shall be remitted by the clerk of the district court to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of remittance of the increase provided in this act, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury and the state treasurer shall credit 50% to the community alcoholism and intoxication programs fund and 50% to the department of corrections alcohol and drug abuse treatment fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury.

      (v)   Upon every conviction of a violation of this section, the court shall order such person to submit to a pre-sentence alcohol and drug abuse evaluation pursuant to K.S.A. 8-1008, and amendments thereto. Such pre-sentence evaluation shall be made available, and shall be considered by the sentencing court.

      History:   L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1567; L. 1976, ch. 50, § 1; L. 1982, ch. 144, § 5; L. 1983, ch. 37, § 2; L. 1984, ch. 37, § 4; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 9; L. 1985, ch. 48, § 9; L. 1985, ch. 50, § 5; L. 1988, ch. 48, § 6; L. 1988, ch. 47, § 17; L. 1989, ch. 92, § 16; L. 1990, ch. 44, § 6; L. 1990, ch. 47, § 3; L. 1991, ch. 36, § 20; L. 1992, ch. 298, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 259, § 8; L. 1993, ch. 291, § 270; L. 1994, ch. 291, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 200, § 14; L. 2002, ch. 50, § 1; L. 2002, ch. 166, § 2; L. 2003, ch. 100, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 181, § 9; July 1.

Important Johnson County DUI terms:

The Law Offices of Jeremiah Johnson, LLC
104 E. Poplar
Olathe, KS 66061
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At the Law Offices of Jeremiah Johnson, LLC, in Olathe, we represent individuals throughout Johnson County and northeast Kansas, including Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Leewood, Mission, Mission Hills, Fairway, Roeland Park, Mission Woods, Westwood, Westwood Hills, Gardner, Edgerton, De Soto and Bonner Springs.