What is the Standard Punishment for a First Time DUI in Riverside County?

By DUI Defense Attorney on October 19, 2011

The standard punishment for a first time DUI can vary greatly from county to county and can even vary significantly between different courthouses within a single county. The vast majority of DUI cases filed in Riverside County are filed in the Southwest Court and downtown Riverside Court, and the punishments are imposed in those two courthouses for a “standard” first DUI. A standard first DUI means that there was no traffic collision and that you’re blood-alcohol level was below .15%. If there was a traffic collision or were above .15% then the punishments will be increased.

If you plead guilty to a standard first DUI in Riverside or Southwest courts, the typical punishment would include 3 years of informal/summary probation, which means unsupervised probation and no probation officer to report to. The fines and fees would add up to approximately $2,250 total, which can usually be paid at a rate of $50/month after paying an additional $50 administrative fee. You will be required to attend and complete a 16 week DUI course which also requires you to attend a number of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The court will notify the DMV of the conviction and you will suffer a six-month suspension of your license. Finally, you will be ordered to serve 6 days in county jail which can be completed as straight time behind bars, through the work release or Sheriff’s labor programs, or via house arrest. This is the standard punishment for a garden-variety, first-time DUI in Riverside. Pretty harsh. If you have priors DUI convictions, were involved in a collision, or had a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher the penalties get even worse.

If you have been accused of DUI in Riverside County, you will need an experienced Riverside DUI attorney to vigorously represent you. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people accused of this crime for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 764-2615 or visit us at our website at www.wklawdui.com. We will be there when you call.

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At Wallin & Klarich, we approach every case with the belief that the person we're defending could easily be one of our own family members. We've seen firsthand how stressful legal matters can be for our clients and their loved ones. We are committed to being available to our clients at all times -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you or someone you love is facing drunk driving charges in Southern California, you should call Wallin & Klarich today for a free evaluation of your case. Call 1-888-764-2615 or fill out our online consultation form to get in contact with a legal professional today. We will be there when you call.

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