• 31
  • March
    2011

Drunk-driving laws vary from state to state. As such, it is important to know the potential penalties in your locality. In California, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that can carry heavy legal consequences.

A First-Time DUI Offense

A first-time DUI offender can be subjected to a variety of punishments, including up to six months of jail time. All first time California DUI offenders must complete at least a 48 hour jail stint-although some offenders are allowed to complete work service as a substitute. Mandatory fines and court fees start at $1,000 and can go as high as $1800. First-time offenders lose their license for 6 months and must complete a DUI education program. In addition, some counties require the installation of ignition interlock devices on the vehicles of first-time offenders.

Second-Offense DUI and Beyond

The penalties increase substantially for multiple DUIs. For example, for a second DUI, the fine and court costs can skyrocket to $2,800, the minimum jail time jumps to 96 hours (with a maximum jail sentence of up to a year), an offender's license is revoked for 2 years (although some offenders can qualify for a restricted license after a year), and a far more extensive 18-month DUI school program is required. For DUIs beyond the second, the severity of penalties continues to grow: a fourth DUI can be considered a felony, potentially landing an offender in prison for three years and resulting in the permanent loss of a driver's license.

Variation in Sentences for Drunk Driving in California

Sentences vary based on the factors of individual cases. For example, having children in the vehicle, speeding, or having an extremely high blood alcohol concentration at the time of the offense can all be reasons for an augmented sentence. In addition, the quality of your legal representation plays a huge role in the eventual sentence and the availability of any plea bargains.

If you are facing a drunk-driving charge in California, contacting an experienced DUI attorney is recommended.

Source: http://dui.drivinglaws.org/california.php