Northern California DUI Attorneys | CA Drunk Driving Laws | San Francisco Bay Area DUI Lawyers

Northern California DUI
Northern California DUI Lawyer California DUI DUI News Police Evidence About Northern California DUI Attorneys Contact DUI Lawyers Drunk Driving Attorney

Introduction

DUI FAQ

DUI Arrest

DUI Tips

Criminal Case

Defending a DUI

DUI Penalties

Felony DUI

What is a DWI

DUI Laws

DMV FAQ

DMV Hearing

Why Hire an Attorney

Criminal Record

Insurance After a DUI

DUI Glossary


California DUI

Criminal Record and Drunk Driving

There are two aspects to a drunk driving conviction (commonly talked about as "DWI" - driving while intoxicated or "DUI" - driving under the influence) and California drunk driving Fines and penalties - an administrative license suspension and a criminal charge(s). Both affect your record. The administrative side is governed by administrative or civil law and relates to your driver's license and driving record. The criminal aspect is governed by criminal DUI law and dictates fines, fees, penalties, sentencing and parole.

Administrative

Under an administrative license suspension, a person's license is taken away before conviction when a driver fails or refuses to take a chemical blood alcohol test - i.e., right on the spot and before you ever go to court. This is one of California drunk driving Fines and penalties.

Most states have these laws and may want you to schedule an DMV administrative hearing soon after the arrest - generally within 5 to 10 days. This hearing is independent of your appearance in court. It does not deal with whether you are guilty of a criminal act, but instead deals with the circumstances surrounding your arrest, including California drunk driving Fines and penalties such as:

Criminal

After a drunk driving arrest, you must generally go to court for sentencing and your California drunk driving Fines and penalties. Most drunk driving convictions are classified as misdemeanors when no injury is involved, but could be classified as a felonie DUI in cases when serious injury or death occurs as a result.

Sentencing decides:

  • How your conviction will be classified
  • What fines and taxes you must pay
  • How long your license will be suspended or revoked (and the possibility for receiving a temporary license)
  • Whether parole is warranted
  • Whether community service must be finished
  • What, if any, drug programs or classes must be finished
  • Whether an ignition interlock device must be installed
  • California drunk driving Fines and penalties can be severe for first time DUI offenders and are always greater for the second DUI and third DUI convictions.

Convicted drunk drivers will have a subsequent criminal record. Despite popular belief, a drunk driving conviction may remain on your record forever unless your state allows it to taken off (expunged). To sum up, it will appear on your record for employers, credit bureaus, and government agencies to see.

What should you do?
Make sure you know your California laws on drunk driving and California drunk driving Fines and penalties. Think about hiring a DUI attorney to stand for you in an administrative hearing or when going to court if the process overwhelms you. Many provide Free Case Evaluation.

Home > California DUI > Criminal Record and Drunk Driving



Free DUI Case Evaluation

Fill out the simple form below and we will get back to you with answers to your questions.


Home | California DUI | DUI News | Police Evidence | About Us | Contact Us