California DUI penalties vary from strict to severe. You are not alone in the fight for your freedom from a DUI conviction. Learn more about the penalties in the state.
A Popular Crime in the U.S.
DUI is one of the most common crimes committed in the United States. In fact, in 2012, over 1.28 million drivers were arrested in the United States for DUI – 1 for every 165 licensed drivers in the country. With so many people arrested for DUI, you really need to be aware of the criminal penalties that you could face for having one too many drinks and deciding against taking a cab home.
Driving under the influence is a state crime, so penalties vary from state to state. Compared to other states, California’s DUI penalties are light on fines, but carry significant jail time:
| In 10 years, this was your… | Fine | Jail |
| 1st Offense | $390 – $1,000 | 4 days – 6 months* |
| 2nd Offense | $390 – $1,000 | 90 days – 1 year |
| 3rd Offense | $390 – $1,000 | 120 days – 1 year |
*At least 2 days of jail time must be continuous. The remaining jail time may be during non-working hours, at the court’s discretion
Additional California DUI Penalties
In addition to fines and jail time, California’s DUI laws require you to take drug or alcohol rehabilitation classes. These classes have different sections for those convicted of DUI for the first time, those who were convicted for their second or a subsequent DUI offense, and for those who were convicted of “wet reckless” charges – reckless driving with a measurable blood alcohol content (BAC). California DUI penalties have a range of participation. These classes can take a substantial time period to complete, with three-time DUI offenders having to participate in a 30-month program.
The city of conviction directly affects your penalties. If the conviction occurs in Sacramento, Tulare, Los Angeles, or Alameda counties, things change, and you should consider talking to an experienced Tulare, Los Angeles, Alameda, or Sacramento DUI attorney. These cities require an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your car for a minimum of 5 months.
These penalties are only minimums, however. They rapidly increase when other factors interact. Other factors include an exceptionally high BAC or driving with minors in the car. Additionally, if the driver creates an accident with another vehicle, then the courts consider the extend of damage and injuries.
Unfortunately, even after dealing with the fines and jail time associated with the arrest, criminal convictions linger on your record, and can make any subsequent arrest much, much worse. This is especially true in California, where neither the state’s laws nor state judges look sympathetically on what they see as “repeat offenders.” With this in mind, preventing the first conviction becomes all the more important.
Kavinoky Law Firm
One of the best ways to ensure safety from conviction for your first DUI in California is to hire an excellent criminal defense attorney. Specifically, one of the best, most experienced, attorneys in the field of DUI defense in the state.
At the Kavinoky Law Firm, we don’t have just one of the best: We have an office of the best. All of our DUI attorneys have extensive knowledge of all matters of criminal law. Their expertise ranges from DUI cases to murder trials. Additionally, with offices throughout California, we’re ready to fight for your freedom in any court in the state. Call us for a free consultation: 1.800.NO.CUFFS
