Being convicted of Driving Under the Influence (commonly referred to as a “DUI”) is one of the most stressful and trying ordeals an individual will ever deal with. It can affect your ability to find work, function in society; it results in the loss of one’s driving privileges for up to 12 months and can be very embarrassing for the individual.
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What is a DUI and what are the drunk driving laws in the state of California? In California a DUI offense consists of the following elements: (1) driving or operating (2) any motor vehicle (many individuals do not know that dui’s do not only consist of vehicles, but can also include boats, motorcycles, tractors, trucks and even a bicycle or horse) (3)while under the influence of an intoxicating beverage or drug (4)with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit of 0.08%
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California DUI Statistics are staggering, as the state has the 2nd highest number of drunk driviving charges in the nation, topping 200,000 arrests per year. Furthermore, an average of 254,000 individuals deal with alcohol related accidents every year. Nationally, over 1.44 million drivers were arrested for UDI related arrests in 2009 alone. This is a trend that is seemingly on the rise, as the total number of DUI arrests jumped a whopping 13.5% between the period from 2002-2007 alone.
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The penalties for drunk driving in California are additionally severe, and become exponentially harsher with every offense. Generally for a first offense, possible sentences for drunk driving in California (California Vehicle Code §23152) include up to 5 years of probation, a $1000 fine and up to 6 months in jail. For second time offenders, the penalties are far harsher, including the possibility of serving up to 30 months in jail and an 18 month license suspension.
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With all these dui facts and statistics, it is imperative that an individual first line of defense is a skilled and aggressive dui attorney. It is unfair to think that many convicted of drunk driving are forced to face the legal system, and against a fierce district attorney on their own. Most often, when the evidence of a drunk driving offense is strong, prosecutors will not agree to reduce or drop the crime if the prosecutor knows the driver is not represented by a dui lawyer. At Downtown LA Law (http://downtownlalaw.com/) we know what defenses to produce in court the help you fight your dui charges. Calling our office is the first thing you should do after a DUI offense.
