Even if no aggravating factors are present in your case, if you are convicted of DUI, the penalties in California are very harsh. They include steep fines, license suspension or revocation, mandatory assistance at DUI classes, probation, and may include other penalties as well. You’ll have to report your DUI conviction anytime you apply for a job that involves driving, and you may even have trouble finding other employment and even stable housing if you have a DUI conviction on your record. You may have to apply for SR-22 insurance, which is incredibly expensive, if you’d like to regain your driving privileges after your probation is over.
Also, if you have a 2nd or subsequent DUI within a 10-year period, penalties dramatically increase with every DUI conviction. Even if you have on DUI conviction from 9 years ago, your case will still be treated as a 2nd-time DUI.
It gets worse:
As if all of this wasn’t enough punishment, there are sentence enhancements that will likely apply if certain aggravating factors are present in your case.
According to California law, aggravating factors in DUI cases include:
- Prior DUI convictions, particularly felonies
- Excessive blood alcohol level – above .15% or .20%
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test
- Minor passenger in the vehicle – under 14
- Multiple victims hurt or injured because of you were DUI
- Excessive speed – more than 20 mph over limit on street or 30 mph over on highway
- DUI in a construction zone
How will these aggravating factors impact your case?
It depends on the circumstances of your specific case. If certain aggravating factors are present in your case, it’s possible your DUI will be charged as a felony – even if it’s your first time being charged with DUI. Certainly if you killed someone because of DUI, you’ll be charged with vehicular homicide or even murder – which are felonies.
Avoid conviction – even if the prosecution says there are aggravating factors in your case
Just because the prosecution alleges that aggravating factors are present in your DUI case doesn’t mean that’s true. Prosecutors can sometimes be rather overzealous.
The most effective way to avoid a conviction is to contact Attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm ASAP after your arrest for DUI. He’ll spring into action, start analyzing the details of your case, and begin developing your defense strategy.
Important: Note that you only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative with the DMV to prevent the automatic suspension of your license.
DON’T WAIT! Contact the Chambers Law Firm now by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or using the chat box below.
