A driver's first DUI does not generally result in a very stiff punishment only if no other driver is injured or killed. Fines for the first offense tend to be lower and it is rare for the offender to spend an extended period of time in jail. The greatest cost to the first time offender is generally that his or her insurance premiums will rise or he or she may lose insurance coverage entirely. However, if another person is killed because of a DUI accident, the misdemeanor charge is automatically upgraded to a felony charge. A felony is punishable by heavy penalties of jail time.