One of the most immediate and significant consequences of a DUI conviction in California is the suspension of your driver's license. However, by fighting the DUI ticket, you can challenge the evidence presented against you and potentially avoid or reduce the length of license suspension.
A: Unlike in some states, jail time is uncommon for a first-time DUI offense in California. A first-offense conviction can result in penalties such as misdemeanor probation, DUI school, fines, and license suspension. However, jail is only typical in certain California counties or if other factors exacerbate the crime.
It is possible for a first-time DUI case to be dismissed, but that will require the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can research the facts of the case before forming a legal strategy to have the charges dropped.
Legal Defenses You Can Use To Get Your DUI Charges In California Dismissed You Were Driving Poorly, But Not Driving Under The Influence. Field Sobriety Tests Are Sometimes Unreliable. Mouth Alcohol Can Cause Falsely High Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) ... The Arresting Officer Did Not Observe You For 15 Minutes As Required.
Drunk driving suspects can expect to spend at least two hours answering questions, being fingerprinted and photographed, and submitting to chemical testing of the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC). A driver could spend a few hours before they are released, or it may take up to a few days.
The punishment for a first DUI varies by state but often includes fines, license suspension, probation, mandatory alcohol education, and possibly community service. Jail time is rare for first offenses but may apply in cases of high blood alcohol content or accidents.
Drivers may end a case in a matter of days if they plead guilty or immediately accept a plea bargain offered by the prosecution. DUI cases that go to trial can take over a year to resolve in some cases. DUI cases are often broken up into different stages.
What Time of Day Do Most DUI Arrests and Accidents Occur? While DUI arrests and accidents can occur at any time of day, there are some hours when there is a higher risk of encountering a driver under the influence. The period of time from midnight to AM is the most dangerous time to be on the road.