It is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI). Depending on the circumstances, it may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, each of which have different consequences. If the motorist didn’t harm anyone or any property while impaired by drugs or alcohol, the majority of DUI prosecutions are misdemeanors.
Many people assume that in order to be guilty of a DUI, they must have had a lot to drink. This is not the case for everyone. Depending on a person’s tolerance, age, weight, and health, some people can have an illegally high BAC before they feel drunk at all. If you are charged with a DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney who gets results by calling Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088.
Potential punishments for a DUI conviction
Jail time, fines, license suspension, and in some counties, installation of an interlock ignition device (IID) are all part of the punishments for a first violation. He or she will be sentenced to 4 days to 6 months in jail (depending on the specifics of the case), up to $1,000 in fines, a 30-day to 10-month license suspension, and, depending on the county, the installation of an interlock ignition device on their vehicle.
The penalties only get worse after the first offense. Everybody who is convicted of DUI a second time must have an IID implanted in their automobile, and the jail sentences, fines, and license suspension periods get significantly longer with each conviction.
What is an IID?
You might wonder what an IID. This stands for interlock ignition device. It resembles a breath analyzer. The distinction is that it is attached to the vehicle’s dashboard or another external area. You must breathe into your car before you can start it. A fuel cell inside the device checks your blood alcohol level.
When a person’s license is suspended for a DUI, the court frequently grants them a limited license after a predetermined period of time so they can drive to employment, an alcohol treatment facility, and other locations approved by the court. Installing an IID device can be quite expensive; depending on where you live, it may cost up to $100.
Thereafter, you’ll pay $50 to $100 per month to lease the device. Have you ever seen the advertisements that read, “DUI—you can’t afford it?” Once you learn the specifics of convicted sentencing, it kind of makes sense; even the smallest term is cruel and expensive.
Do you still have concerns about Irvine, California DUI charges? Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 to request a free legal consultation and determine what your options are.
