If you are charged with a DUI in Orange County, you are facing some serious consequences, including possible jail time and large fines. Lawmakers attempt to deter first-time DUI offenders with strict punishments to prevent offenders from thinking about driving while intoxicated.
Potential Jail time
If you are convicted of a DUI, you may be imprisoned for up to 6 months in county jail.
In Orange County, you may also be sentenced to three years of probation. If you violate any of your probation terms while on probation, the court can revoke your probation and sentence you to county jail for up to six months.
The court may also require that you complete community service as part of your DUI sentence. Often times, community service is required instead of jail time. An experienced DUI defense attorney can help you successfully fight to avoid jail time in your case.
Fines and Fees
You also face a fine of between $390 and $1,000 for a first-time DUI conviction. The court will also charge other DUI-related fees, including:
- A penalty assessment
- Mandatory state restitution fine
- Alcohol abuse education fee
- DUI lab/blood alcohol penalty
- Alcohol & drug assessment program fee
- Probation revocation restitution fine
- Court operations fee
- Criminal conviction assessment fee per conviction
- Criminal conviction assessment fee per infraction; and
- Booking fee
These fees can add up to $2,000.
Loss of Driver’s License
Your DUI conviction will also lead to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspending your driver’s license for six months. If you are convicted of a first-time DUI and are under the age of 21, your driver’s license may be suspended for up to one year. You may be able to apply for a restricted driver’s license, which only allows you to drive to and from work and to and from any alcohol program. If you retain a Wallin & Klarich attorney for your DUI case within 10 days of your arrest, we can demand a DMV hearing to potentially avoid the DMV suspending your license.
After your suspension period, you may have your driver’s license reinstated by the DMV. To get your license reinstated, you must go to the DMV and show that you have completed a DUI treatment program and paid all of your court-assessed fees. Then, you must pay a $55 reissue fee and a $100 administrative fee to the DMV to get your license reinstated.
Other Consequences
If you have a DUI conviction on your record, your car insurance company may cancel or significantly increase your insurance premiums. You insurance premium rates could increase by as much as $1,000 per year for seven years, totaling $7,000.
You will also have to take time off from work to attend court hearings for your DUI case. You will lose the income you would have received had you been at work during your court hearings. A DUI conviction can also cause you to lose your job or make it difficult for you to find a job. However, if you hire a Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney, we can appear in court hearings on your behalf (with the court’s permission), and so you do not have to appear in court and lose your income and job.
Orange County DUI Defense Attorney
The experienced Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys from Wallin & Klarich can help you to hopefully avoid a high percentage of these costs, as well as possible jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license. Fighting a DUI charge is difficult, but you do not have to fight your DUI case alone. You need the quality DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich to help guide you through this difficult process.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in Orange County, you need an experienced DUI Defense Attorney to represent you. The DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience successfully defending DUI cases. We have the knowledge and experience to help assist you in your DUI case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us now at 877-4-NO-JAIL or 877-466-5245. We will be there when you call.