Driving Under the Influence

if you're convicted of a Driving Under the Influence ("DUI") charge in California, your punishment depends on whether you:

• Have a prior DUI conviction
• Had a child under 14 in the care with you
• Have a blood alcohol testing over .20
• Refused to take a blood-alcohol test

First-time offenders charged under a misdemeanor law (one not involving injuries) can be sentenced to jail (but not prison) and fined up to $1,000. First-time offenders convicted of a felony (where someone other than yourself was injured or killed) can be sentenced to prison and fined more than $1,000. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device which prevents your car from starting if the driver has alcohol in his or her system.

Second (occurring within 7 years of the first) offenses are dealt with more harshly, with a minimum of ten days' jail time and fines up to $10,000. In addition, you can lose your driver's license for as long as three years.

Because the potential consequences of being convicted of a DUI are so high, it makes sense to contact a local California criminal defense lawyer who specializes in DUI cases as soon as possible after being charged.