Penalties For DUI In California

Avoid the Negative Consequences of a Conviction

If you or someone you care about have been arrested for or accused of DUI, it is important that you do not plead guilty or answer questions before you have counsel present. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney right away is essential to avoiding the penalties of DUI. At Law Offices of Scott R. Spindel, we are dedicated to providing our clients with respectful and aggressive defense of DUI charges. We can ensure you are aware of the penalties you could face, as well as your options to avoid a conviction.

If you would like to arrange for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer from our team, call us now at (818) 797-9212.

DUI First Offense

If the court grants informal (unsupervised) probation, there are two options. Both require a base fine ranging from $390 to $1,000 and attendance at a 3 month alcohol/drug education program (6 month program if the blood/breath alcohol content is a .20% or higher or if there is a refusal to test). Without probation, the court may impose 96 hours to 6 months in jail, a $390 to $1,000 base fine, and a 6 month driver’s license suspension.

• Option A: 48 hours to 6 months in jail, and a 6 month driver’s license suspension; or
• Option B: A 90 day driver’s license restriction allowing for driving for work and the alcohol/drug program only.

DUI Second Offense

Without probation, the court may impose 90 days to 1 year in jail, a $390 to $1,000 base fine, and a 2 year driver’s license suspension.

With unsupervised probation, there are two options which both carry a base fine of $390 to $1,000 in addition to:

• Option A: 10 days to 1 year in jail, and a 2 year driver’s license suspension; or
• Option B: 96 hours to 1 year in jail, an 18 month (or 30 month) alcohol/drug education program, and a driver’s license restriction for the duration of the program allowing driving only for work and the program.

DUI Third Offense

With unsupervised probation, the court will impose a sentence of 120 days to 1 year in jail, a base fine of $390 to $1,000, a 3 year license revocation, and an 18 month alcohol/drug education program if one was not completed before. Without probation, you could be facing 120 days to 1 year in jail, a $390 to $1,000 base fine, and a 3 year license revocation.

DUI Fourth & Subsequent Offense

If probation is granted, you could face 180 days to 1 year in jail, a base fine ranging from $390 to $1,000, a 4 year license revocation, and an 18 month program if one has not been completed before. Without probation, the court could sentence anywhere from 6 months to 1 year in county jail or anywhere from 16 months to 3 years in state prison, a base fine of $390 to $1,000, and a 4 year driver’s license revocation.

In addition to the possible penalties discussed above, the Government can charge you with enhancements which lead to the potential of higher fines and greater punishment.

Contact us 24/7 at (818) 797-9212 to speak with a Los Angeles DUI attorney to learn more about the penalties you could be facing and what we can do to help.