DUI Penalties in California

Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorney

California lawmakers have passed statutes that are extremely harsh with regard to drunk driving or DUI.  Any person who is found to be at .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or above will be arrested and charged with DUI.  If there is an accident involved, the penalties increase.  A serious injury accident will likely result in a felony DUI, and when there is a fatal accident, the charge can be DUI with manslaughter.  Under age drivers face a zero tolerance situation in which even .01% BAC level will result in being charged and usually losing their license for a year.  If you are facing a DUI charge, it becomes an urgent matter to get strong legal representation from a Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer as rapidly as possible after the arrest, and prior to answering questions.   At the Law Offices of Robert Schwartz, the DUI defense lawyer will take immediate action to protect your rights, from the moment of the arrest.

DUI Defense Lawyer in L.A.

Each type of DUI charge has a varying degree of penalties that will be applied to the case.  The judge has some leeway in most cases, and alternative sentencing for a first DUI is often possible, although you will be on probation, and will be required to perform community service and pay fines.  However, depending upon the actual BAC level found, and how many earlier convictions are on your record, you could be facing felony charges.   Determining how to move forward with your case requires a complete review of the evidence against you must be done without delay in order to determine what strategy could be employed to defend your case.  The Law Offices of Robert Schwartz has over 30 years of experience in defending all types of DUI charges and would like to review the circumstances of your case.

The penalties for DUI are generally as follows:

A first DUI (misdemeanor charges)

• Probation from one to five years
• Up to six months in jail
• Fines and court fees reaching as high as $1,800
• Six months suspended driver's license

A second DUI offense (misdemeanor)

• Probation from three to five years
• Up to one year in jail and 96 hours mandatory
• Fines and court fees reaching as high as $2800
• Driver's license suspension for up to two years
• Required ignition interlock device installation

A Third DUI offense

• Probation for up to five years
• Up to 5 years in jail
• Fines and court fees up to $2,800
• Driver's license suspension for up to three years
• Required ignition interlock device installation
• Possible forfeiture of vehicle

A Fourth DUI offense (Felony)

• Jail or prison time up to three years
• Fines and court fees
• Possible permanent revocation of driver's license

Enhanced penalties for the following:

DUI with Injury

• Up to three years in state prison
• An additional 1 year added to sentence for each person injured in accident
• An additional 3 years added to sentence for serious bodily injuries

DUI with fatality (vehicular manslaughter -- felony charge)

• Up to four years in state prison
• Repeat offender - up to ten years in state prison

Those who have prior DUI convictions face enhanced penalties, or when the BAC level is above .15%.  If a minor under age 14 is a passenger in a DUI offense, or there was "excessive" speeding or when driving with a suspended license all also result in increased penalties.

Never deal with DUI charges without skilled legal representation from a skilled attorney from the Law Offices of Robert Schwartz.  The DUI defense lawyer will aggressively defend clients who are facing any DUI charge, and has powerful resources developed over the 30 years in defense law.  You can be assured that the DUI defense lawyer will fight hard to defend your case and will seek out possible options to defend the case.