Lakewood, California DUI Attorney

Being charged with DUI or DWI can have serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is very important that anyone facing an DUI charge in California understand what challenges they will face along the way. Seeking the legal advice of a competent and knowledgeable DUI criminal defense lawyer will help you understand all of your rights and options, including any defenses you might use.

DUI in Lakewood, California

Once you have been cited for violating the California DUI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, but separate, legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you. The administrative action is brought against your California driver's license by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in California, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Monetary Fines for DUI - A first time DUI offender with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) of between 0.08% and 0.10% will have fines starting at $100.00, up to $300.00, plus fees. An offender with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) of between 0.10% and 0.15% is subject to a maximum fine of $400.00, plus fees. A first time DUI or DWI offender with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) of 0.15% or higher will pay a fine of $500.00, plus fees.
• Jail Time - A first time DUI offender could face imprisonment of 48 hours in jail, however, the court may substitute a fine, require a treatment program and levy a 90-day license restriction, at the judge's discretion.
• Chemical Test Refusal - In Lakewood, California, refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the suspension of driving privileges for 1 year.
• California Driving Privileges and DUI - In California, a DUI conviction results in the suspension of driving privileges for 30 days, up to 180 days for offenders with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level between 0.08% and 0.10%. The offender's license is revoked for 3 months, up to 12 months for a BAC between 0.10% and 0.15%. An offender with a BAC of 0.15% or above faces a license suspension of 3 months, up to 18 months.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level of 0.04. A first time DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license in California.
• Probation - Probation may be required, at the court's discretion, and typically lasts between 3 and 5 years. During this time, the offender must not commit a criminal offense, drive with any measurable amount of alcohol, refuse to submit to chemical testing, or fail to pay a fine, restitution, or assessment fee.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a drug and alcohol program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges.

DUI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DUI violations. Due to the complexity of DUI laws in California, you may not be aware of rights and options, including any defenses you might use. This is why a competent and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a California DUI or DWI attorney for a quick and easy consultation.

Alcohol and Persons Under 21

23140. (a) It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has 0.05 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.

(b) A person may be found to be in violation of subdivision (a) if the person was, at the time of driving, under the age of 21 years and under the influence of, or affected by, an alcoholic beverage regardless of whether a chemical test was made to determine that person's blood-alcohol concentration and if the trier of fact finds that the person had consumed an alcoholic beverage and was driving a vehicle while having a concentration of 0.05 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, upon a finding that a person has violated this section, the clerk of the court shall prepare within 10 days after the finding and immediately forward to the department an abstract of the record of the court in which the finding is made. That abstract shall be a public record and available for public inspection in the same manner as other records reported under Section 1803. (Amended Sec. 32, Ch. 263, Stats. 2007. Effective January 1, 2008.)

DUI and California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) aggressively enforces the state's 0.08 percent BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) law, Administrative Per Se laws (immediate driver license suspension), 0.04 percent BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level law for commercial vehicle drivers, 0.01 percent BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level out-of-service requirement for commercial vehicle drivers (24-hour tie-up), and the 0.01 percent BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level limit for drivers under 21 years of age (zero-tolerance.)

The CHP conducts DUI task force operations, or saturation patrols, in areas experiencing a high incidence of DUI-related traffic collisions. Operating from a centralized location, these operations expedite the processing of arrested individuals and allow for a concentrated effort targeting impaired drivers.

Lakewood, California DUI Cost?

The costs for DUI in California have been estimated to be more than $5,000. (The actual costs may vary. This amount does not include attorney fees or lost wages due to court appearances.)

• Car Insurance Increase: $2,700
• Fines/Penalties: $1,500
• California Department of Motor Vehicles Reissue Fee: $100
• Tow/Impound Fee: $190
• DUI Treatment Program: $550
• Restitution Fund: $500
• Total Approximate Cost: $5,540

Lakewood, California DUI Programs

The Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) Program Branch within the Office of Criminal Justice Collaboration, through the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, licenses and performs compliance monitoring on all DUI programs throughout California. The objectives of the DUI program is to reduce the number of repeat DUI or DWI offenses by persons who complete a state-licensed DUI or DWI program.

• The Wet Reckless Programs serve persons convicted of reckless driving with a measurable amount of alcohol in their blood.
• The 18-Month Programs serve second and subsequent DUI offenders; while the 30-Month Programs serve those with third and subsequent DUI offenders.
• First Offender Programs are for those convicted for the first time of a DUI offense, and they must complete a state-licensed three-month or nine-month program, depending on their blood alcohol level.