California DUI Penalties

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is an offence that is liable to be punished by law. Drunk driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. In California, conviction for the offence of DUI carries stringent penalties & punishments.

Penalties for a first DUI offense may include probation ranging from 3 to 5 years, a fine that may go up to $1800, or a 6 month loss of California driver license. A court may also ask an offender to attend DUI schooling for a period ranging from 12 hours to 45 days. Apart from this, there also exists a 48-hour mandatory jail sentence that a person is bound to serve. However, it is possible to have this sentence converted to work service.

Penalties for a second DUI offence may include a probation period ranging from 3 to 5 years, a fine that may go up to $2800, or an 18 month loss of driving license. An 18-month compulsory DUI program may also be awarded. On the occurrence of a second offence a mandatory 96-hour jail term is sentenced. It is also possible to have this sentence converted to work service.

On being charged for a third time with a DUI offence a 3 to 5 years of court or formal probation may be awarded. A formal probation unlike court probation requires a person to report to a probation officer on a regular basis. The amount of fine charged may range from $1800 to $2800. Being charged a third time might also lead to a loss of license for up to 3 years. 18 months of compulsory attendance to a DUI school may also be awarded. The above-mentioned penalties may be combined with a required jail term of 120 days.

A fourth offence is generally considered a felony DUI. Punishment for the same includes up to three years in state prison, permanent termination of license and more. On being charged with DUI it is advisable that a person seeks the help of a professional attorney having adequate amount of defense expertise in the same.