DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer - Napa, California

Being arrested for DUI or DWI can have major consequences, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is crucial that anyone facing an DUI charge in California understand what challenges they will face along the way. Seeking the legal advice of a capable and skilled DUI attorney will help you understand all of your rights and options.

DUI in Napa, 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 DMV. 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.

California DUI (driving under the influence)

Once you have been arrested for DUI, the arresting officer retains your state issued driver's license and you are issued an "Order of Suspension and Temporary License," which allows you to drive for 30 days from the date the order was issued. Pursuant to California law, an individual has 10 days to request an administrative hearing from the California DMV. If you fail to request a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an Administrative Hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Department of Motor Vehicles in California within 10 days.

Penalties for First Time DUI or DWI Offenders

• Jail Time - In Napa, California, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) offender will face up to one (1) year imprisonment.
• Monetary Fines - In California, the fine for a first time DUI or DWI offender with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) of between 0.08% and 0.10% is $100.00, up to $300.00, plus fees. An offender with a BAC of between 0.10% and 0.15% is subject to a maximum fine of $400.00, plus fees. A first time DUI offender with a BAC of 0.15% or higher will pay a fine of $500.00, plus fees.
• 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 suspended 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.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the suspension of driving privileges for 180 days, up to 1 year. Additionally, the offender will be fined between $200.00 and $500.00 for the refusal, and ordered to perform 10 to 60 hours of public community restitution.
• 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.

Subsequent DUI 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. This is why a capable and skilled attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a California DUI or DWI criminal defense attorney for a fast, free consultation.

Alcohol: 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.)

California Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Programs

Through the Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) Program Branch within the Office of Criminal Justice Collaboration, the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs licenses and performs compliance monitoring on all DUI programs in California. The objectives of the DUI program is to reduce the number of repeat DUI (driving under the influence) offenses by persons who complete a state-licensed DUI program. Also, to provide participants an opportunity to address problems related to the use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

ADP currently licenses 472 DUI programs that provide first-offender (and/or multiple offender) program services throughout California's 58 counties.

• 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.
• 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.

How much does a DUI Cost?

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

• Tow and Impound Fee: $190
• Fines and Penalties: $1,500
• Insurance Increase: $2,700
• DUI (driving under the influence) Treatment Program: $550
• California DMV Reissue Fee: $100
• Restitution Fund: $500
• Total Approximate Cost: $5,540

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 California Highway Patrol conducts DUI task force operations (also known as saturation patrols), in areas experiencing a high incidence of DUI or DWI traffic collisions.

California DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and Court Trial

The DMV hearing and court trial are independent of each other. The California DMV hearing deals with the circumstances surrounding a DUI or DWI arrest. The other (court) trial deals with whether you are innocent or guilty of a criminal act in California.