Getting caught driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a serious offense, no matter where you live. Drunk driving is one of the most preventable causes of death and injury on the highways, and the police take drunk driving very seriously. If you have been caught for driving under the influence and are facing charges in court in the state of California, you may wonder what you can expect as far as fines and California DUI penalties.
California DUI Penalties
The penalties for a first time DUI conviction are fairly strict in California. You will face:
- Three to five years of probation,
- A series of fines totaling between $1400 and $1800,
- A mandatory six month loss of your driver’s license in the state of California,
- The possibility of having to attend a DUI school, and
- A mandatory jail sentence of at least 48 hours.
Some of these penalties, like the requirement to attend DUI school, will depend on your blood alcohol content at the time of the arrest, and the decisions of the judge in your case, but for the most part, you will face these penalties across the board for a first-time California DUI.
There is a special consideration that must be noted when you are dealing with the loss of your driver’s license. There are two types of driver’s license restrictions that can be applied depending on the circumstances of your case.
- The Department of Motor Vehicles can decide whether they will require a suspension of your license, which means that you will not be able to drive, at all, for the period of time for the suspension – usually six months.
- Alternately, they may decide to issue a restriction, which is essentially a suspension with an exemption for driving to work or school so that you can continue to go about your life without any extraneous driving allowed.
No matter what happens, you will find that the penalties imposed are firm, and you will be likely to incur more penalties and fines if you make the mistake of defying the order and driving anyway, or not completing mandatory DUI school. In addition, if you are caught again while you are still going through your probation or other required penalties, the result will be an even more costly and harsh conviction.
Getting Help
To understand the potential California DUI penalties you face, and to explore your options for defending yourself and avoiding those penalties, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced criminal attorney. Your lawyer can help you navigate the California criminal courts and hopefully can assist you in being found innocent of the DUI charges brought against you.
