Complying with the terms of DUI probation is necessary to successfully complete your sentence.
For many first-time DUI offenders in California, probation is a likely outcome of your charges. Many cases are resolved in this manner, as long as the facts of the case are not extreme. In other words, if you did not hurt or kill someone or otherwise have extenuating circumstances — such as driving at a high rate of speed or with a child in the car — you may be sentenced to DUI probation instead of jail time. You will likely also be sentenced to DUI school, fines, a license suspension and other penalties as part of your sentencing.
You may be wondering what exactly the terms of your DUI probation will be. What are you allowed to do when you are on DUI probation? Or perhaps more importantly, what are you NOT allowed to do while on DUI probation? The answer to that question depends on the specific terms of your probation. As an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer can tell you, a California DUI conviction can include any of the following conditions:
- Prohibition against driving (license suspension)
- Mandatory DUI school
- Avoidance of additional criminal violations
- Paying fines
- Community service
- Urinalysis testing
- Alcohol intake monitoring (usually through an ankle bracelet)
- Participation in a class sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) or another group
- Payment of restitution to victims, if necessary
- Using an ignition interlock device
- No driving under the influence of any alcohol or drugs
If you are sentenced to DUI probation, you may be required to comply with any or all of these conditions. Depending on the severity of the offense — how intoxicated you were, if there were any aggravating factors, and if you have any prior DUI convictions — DUI probation could last for anywhere from a period of months to years. If you fail to meet the terms of your probation, you could be subject to arrest and be required to serve the remainder of your sentence in jail.
Probation violations can range from relatively minor, such as missing all or part of one of your DUI classes, to much more serious, such as committing an additional DUI. If you are late to your DUI class for an excusable reason — such as for a family emergency — you may not be reported to the court for a probation violation. However, if you were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, that will be considered a major violation of your probation that will likely result in an immediate revocation of your probation. In addition, you will be charged with a probation violation and a separate DUI charge.
Being charged with and convicted of a DUI can have a serious negative impact on your life, which is why it is so important to have a highly skilled Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer to represent you. At the Chambers Law Firm, we aggressively defend our clients against DUI charges, and help them throughout the process. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com if you have been charged with a DUI. Initial consultations are always free.
