How Long Does a First DUI Count?
How Long Does a First DUI Count?
Getting arrested for DUI can be a terrifying experience, not to mention the time and money you will forego in the aftermath. California imposes harsh penalties to deter you from getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you’ve already been arrested for a DUI you will almost certainly face stricter penalties if you get arrested for a second or subsequent DUI. That’s because, in…
Read MoreHeld to a Higher Standard: How a DUI Conviction in the Military Can End Your Career
Handing your driver’s license to a police officer who just pulled you over on suspicion of DUI can be terrifying. You probably are aware that you could face jail time and the loss of your driver’s license if you are convicted of DUI. However, the consequences can be far more severe if you are member of the military. Members of the military are held to a high moral standard. As…
Read MoreWhat a DUI Means for Your Auto Insurance
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) can affect your life in many ways. Not only do you face jail time, fines, and the suspension of your driver’s license, the conviction also imposes a penalty on you outside of the courtroom. A DUI can have a dramatic impact on your ability to get the minimum auto insurance coverage as required by California law for all…
Read MoreShould You Be Required to Install an Ignition Lock If You are Convicted of DUI?
Should first-time DUI offenders be required to install a device in their vehicles that would require a breath test before they start their car and at various times while they drive? California Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) thinks so. He has introduced legislation to expand DUI laws currently being enforced in four counties in California that require everyone convicted of drunk driving to install and maintain an Ignition Interlock Device…
Read MoreAre DUI Penalties Harsher if You Have a Child in the Car?
If you are arrested for DUI and you have a child under 14 in the car, you could be charged with a more serious crime under Vehicle Code 23572, or you could be charged with the crime of child endangerment under Penal Code 273a. If you are not charged with child endangerment, but are convicted of DUI with a child under 14 in the car, you are facing the real…
Read MoreGuide to Terminating DUI Probation Early
If you are convicted of DUI, you will be placed on probation. Depending on the facts of your case, DUI probation will last anywhere from three to five years. Being on probation can have a devastating effect on many areas of your life. If you are a licensed professional, such as a doctor, lawyer, real estate agent, or nurse, you will have to report your conviction to your licensing board…
Read MoreCan I Travel If My Driver’s License is Taken Away?
After you are convicted of a DUI in California, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked. This means you no longer have the right to drive in the state. However, you retain the right to travel within and outside the state as a passenger. The U.S. Constitution grants citizens the right to travel between states (Privileges and Immunities Clause of the U.S. Constitution).1 This right, also called freedom of…
Read More10 Consequences of a DUI Conviction in California
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime that can be committed by nearly anyone, regardless of education, profession, or income. It may be someone who drinks regularly or only once in a while. All it takes is driving a car after one drink too many, and you can find yourself convicted of DUI, leaving you to face devastating consequences that can last for years. While you may be aware…
Read MoreHow Getting a DUI Can Ruin Your Career
Unfortunately, many people have experienced first hand the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We have heard the stories or, in the most unfortunate circumstances, lost loved ones because of this crime. If you are accused of DUI under California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a), prosecutors will need to prove that you: Drove a vehicle; Were under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; and You were not…
Read MoreIs DUI a Deportable Offense?
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime in California. In addition to jail time and fines, a DUI conviction can have a major impact on your life. But once your sentence is served, you have the opportunity to move on with your life. Non-U.S. citizens may not have that opportunity. If you are a non-citizen convicted of certain DUI crimes, you need to know that…
Read More