If you are caught driving drunk you may face DUI (Driving Under Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charges against yourself. DUI is a criminal offence and a conviction translates into harsh penalties. Here are the various penalties that follows a DUI conviction:

1. Fines: These fines differ from state to state and ranges from $500 to $2000 onwards. A lot depends on how many times you have been convicted for DUI. Fines for first DUI conviction are lesser than second or third ones. A fourth DUI conviction becomes a felony charge and involves heavy fines.
2. Your driving privileges are also penalized. Your licence stands at the risk of being revoked or suspended. Each state has its own suspension period. This period ranges from one month to six months.
3. Many DUI offenders are asked to install ignition interlock device in their cars that prevents them from starting their cars if they are intoxicated.
4. In some DUI cases, especially ones where repeat offenders are involved, the court orders the driver to undergo mandatory rehabilitation, substance abuse or counseling programs.
5. Another common DUI penalty is community service. The offender has to take out time to do compulsory community service.
6. Serving a jail term is the harshest penalty an offender can invite by driving in an intoxicated state.

DUI penalties are very severe and they tend to increase under various circumstances:
a. If there were children around when the offender was caught.
b. If there was any property damage.
c. If the offender refuses to take a chemical test as in some states this is mandatory under implied consent laws. It means that a licensed driver implicitly consents to chemical test.
c. If there was any injury involved.
d. If the driver is a repeat offender.

Fourth time offenders or offenders who have caused injury or damages are booked for felony charges and upon conviction are heavily penalized for their crime. A fatality can worsen DUI penalty to an extent of vehicular manslaughter or second degree murder.