Penalties & Punishment

California DUI penalties can be costly and/or serious. In addition to these penalties, there are many negative consequences that may follow. The penalties for a DUI conviction in California are listed below. This list includes not only the California DMV consequences, but also the punishment for a California DUI conviction, as imposed by the courts. The punishment that is imposed by the court will vary on a case by case basis.

First DUI Offense

  • Probation: from 3 to 5 years informal probation
  • Jail Time: 48 hour minimum, 6 month maximum
  • Fines & Fees: Vary between approximately $2100 to $2300 (significantly higher in Ventura County)
  • DUI School: 3 to 6 months, depending on blood-alcohol level
  • Driver License Suspension: 6 months

Second DUI Offense

  • Probation: from 3 to 5 years informal probation
  • Jail Time: 96 hour minimum, 1 year maximum
  • Fines & Fees: Vary between approximately $2100 to $2300 (significantly higher in Ventura County)
  • DUI School: 18 months
  • Driver License Suspension: 2 year suspension

Third Offense

  • Probation: from 3 to 5 years (informal or supervised probation)
  • Jail Time: 120 day minimum, 1 year maximum
  • Fines & Fees: Vary between approximately $2100 to $2300 (significantly higher in Ventura County)
  • DUI School: 18 months
  • Driver License Suspension: 3 years

Fourth Offense or More (felony offense)

  • Probation: If granted, supervised
  • Jail Time: 180 days to 1 year jail, or 16 months to 3 years prison
  • Fines & Fees: Vary between approximately $2100 to $2300 (significantly higher in Ventura County)
  • DUI School: 18 months
  • Driver License Suspension: 4 years

DUI cases involving injuries are very serious and an experienced DUI lawyer should be contacted immediately.

A 2nd, 3rd, or 4th DUI is one that occurs within 10 years of a prior DUI conviction.

If you have been arrested for a DUI, it is crucial that you act fast and preserve certain rights that you will lose if you delay. Please contact California Criminal Defense Center to schedule a confidential and free consultation with a highly experienced DUI lawyer. You can email us by completing the Free Consultation form, or may call us toll free at 1-800-4-DUI-LAW (1-800-438-4529).

Ardalon Fakhimi
Ardalon Fakhimi, ESQ

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Unlike many law offices that assign client cases to young associates, attorney Ardalon Fakhimi will personally handle all significant aspects of your case from start to finish, including all settlement discussions, negotiations, and the trial. He will personally answer all of your questions and navigate you through every stage of your case. We never use inexperienced associates who are just learning the practice of DUI law and criminal law. Similarly, we are NOT a high volume law office. Rather, we emphasize a very personalized attorney-client relationship where our clients are in continuous contact with their DUI and criminal lawyer; not their lawyer’s assistant. Finally, we are a detail-oriented law office that meticulously strategizes every case. That means no stone remains unturned during the course of our representation and through the final disposition of your case.

We serve clients from Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Torrance, for Domestic Violence, Petty Thefts, DUI Under-21 Cases.

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