Each DUI case carries with it the possibility of certain penalties, including jail time, fines, probation, required DUI school attendance, license suspension, and maybe even more. Depending on the circumstances of each case, certain penalties may or may not be assessed, but in almost all DUI cases where a conviction is issued, a period of probation will be instituted.
The conditions of each probation sentence vary, but they generally follow a certain pattern.
1st time DUI conviction probation terms
If this is your first time being convicted of a DUI, and there aren’t any aggravating factors present in your case that would result in sentence enhancement, you’ll likely be charged with a misdemeanor DUI. If you’re convicted, the terms of your probation will likely be:
- Informal (also known as “summary” probation for 3-5 years
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Between $390-$1,000 in fines, plus penalty assessments, totaling between $2,000-$2,500
- Mandatory attendance at a court-approved alcohol and/or drug education program (AB 541 Program)
- 6 month drivers license suspension
More probation terms
Depending on the county you’re convicted of DUI in, the penalties will vary, even if it’s your first DUI offense. However, no matter which county you’re convicted in, the terms of your probation will include these conditions:
- You shall not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood.
- You shall not refuse to submit to a chemical test of your blood, or in rare cases, urine, if you are arrested for a subsequent DUI.
- You shall not commit any additional crimes.
Optional additions to probation terms
Depending on the exact circumstances of your DUI conviction, the following probation terms may also be included in your sentence:
- Required attendance in Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings
- Participation in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Impact Program
- Restitution (if you caused an accident while driving under the influence)
- Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in any car you own or operate for a maximum 4 year period. In Los Angeles, Alameda, Tulare, or Sacramento, installation is mandatory, and in all other California counties, installation is at each judge’s discretion.
If it’s your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or subsequent DUI conviction, you can read more about the potential penalties and probation terms here.
How to avoid harsh DUI penalties
The best way to avoid having to comply with all of the sentence requirements that accompany a DUI conviction is to hire an excellent lawyer who specializes in DUI defense. Attorney Dan Chambers has 7 Southern California locations – feel free to make an appointment to meet with him personally about your pending DUI case by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or by using the chat box below.
