Getting arrested for DUI in the state of California is a very serious offense. Penalties can become very steep on you, thus it is imperative to know the statues that govern them in order to rid yourself from such case. The state has named two situations in which you can get charged with DUI. First is the officer’s subjective judgment on the driving capabilities of the individual. If he sees that your present body condition can hamper the safety of your driving and that you are unable to drive your car with the same caution characteristic of a sober person then you can be arrested for DUI. Second is the black and white rule on your blood alcohol content. If it is noted that your BAC is 0.08% or greater, you will still end up being charged of DUI despite having satisfied the field sobriety test. Whether you seemed to be driving perfectly, it doesn’t matter since this is charged based purely on your blood chemistry.
DUI Arrests in California
Take the DUI charge seriously. It can affect your employment, your future and your personal freedom. An arrest for DUI in California will cause you long lasting consequences, having to face both the criminal court and a case filed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. With stricter statutes in California, you will automatically lose the privilege to drive for 30 days if you fail to request for a DMV hearing 10 days after your arrest. Therefore, you need to get help from an experienced California DUI lawyer since he has the knowledge on how to request the hearing, and will be able to fight for you and possibly save your driver’s license.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
Since a DUI arrest in California sentences you with two separate cases, the typical penalties for first time offenders face in the courts could be:
License Suspensions for California DUI
The California DMV will suspend your driver’s license 30 days after your arrest due to DUI. The repercussions faced by California drivers who submit to a chemical test of their blood are as follows:
In case of refusal of the subject, the DMV punishment is increased, with no opportunity for a restricted license:
Insurance Consequences
With a charge of DUI placed up on you, expect that your insurance company will bill you with higher premiums or even drop your coverage. If the latter scenario comes into play, then most likely it will be difficult for you to find a new coverage so as to have your license back.