Don’t make this mistake if you have been convicted of or pled guilty to a DUI.
One of the standard consequences of being convicted of or pleading guilty to driving under the influence (DUI) in California is being sentenced to DUI school. Although the length of time that you will have to spend in DUI school will vary considerably based on the facts of your case (particularly whether it is your first offense or a greater offense), it is mandatory in virtually every California DUI case.
Going to DUI school can be painful. It may seem like information that you already know, a waste of time, or just plain stupid. Yet if you don’t go to DUI school, you could be facing serious consequences.
First, you should know that if you avoided jail time and got probation instead, failing to comply with the conditions of probation — including attending your alcohol education classes — is a probation violation. When you violate your probation, you can be arrested, which is a separate offense. Not only can you be penalized for the probation violation, but you can also be sent to jail to serve the term for the original DUI. If you have not completed your DUI school requirement, contact your Rancho Cucamonga DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible to discuss what you can do to get in compliance.
In addition, as long as you have not completed your classes, you won’t have a valid California driver’s license — potentially forever. Even though a DUI will officially come off your driving record after ten years, if you still have not completed your DUI school requirements, you will not be able to get a driver’s license — no matter how much time has elapsed. In fact, the California Department of Motor Vehicles may require you to take an even longer series of classes, and file a SR-22, which is a requirement for high risk drivers that will essentially force you to pay more for car insurance. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, which means that every time that you start your car, you will have to provide a clean, alcohol-free breath sample, and then continue to provide alcohol-free breath samples at random intervals as you drive.
In addition, because a DUI is a criminal offense, you cannot have it expunged from your record unless you successfully complete the terms of your probation. According to a Rancho Cucamonga DUI defense lawyer, this means that you must finish your DUI school requirement in order to be eligible for expungement.
While it may be tempting to skip out on your DUI schools after being convicted of or pleading guilty to a DUI, going to each and every one of your alcohol education classes is important. Completing these classes is necessary to move forward after a DUI — and to getting your license back, getting off of probation, and potentially clearing your criminal record.
If you have been charged with a DUI, you will need a skilled Rancho Cucamonga DUI defense lawyer to help you. The Chambers Law Firm aggressively defends clients against DUI charges. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you.
