It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence and to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% in the state of California. If you are caught driving under the influence, criminal charges will be filed against you and you will have to have a hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine the status of your driving privileges. If convicted of driving under the influence, there are several harsh penalties that you will face. This makes hiring a DUI attorney San Francisco very important if you have been charged with DUI.
Jail Time
Driving under the influence carries a penalty of mandatory jail time for anyone who is convicted of the crime. For first-time offenders, the minimum jail sentence is 48 hours. However, this can be converted to time in a work release program. If it is your second DUI offense, the minimum jail sentence is 96 hours, which may also be converted to work service. The third DUI conviction on your record will result in a minimum jail term of 120 days. You may be able to serve some of this time in a house arrest or work release program. If you want to avoid these jail terms, you must work with a qualified attorney who can help you to get your charges reduced or successfully defend you against driving under the influence charges.
Probation
Probation may also be imposed as a penalty if you have been convicted of driving under the influence. For a first offense, you may be sentenced to 3 to 5 years of court probation. This type of probation does not require you to report to a probation officer, but you must not drink and drive during the entire term of your probation. Second offenses can also result in a sentence of 3 to 5 years of court probation. Third convictions may result in the judge ordering 3 to 5 years of court or formal probation. During a period of formal probation, you must regularly report to a probation officer.
Loss of Driving Privileges
If you have been convicted of driving under the influence, your driver's license will be suspended for a period of time based on the severity of the offense, the number of prior convictions on your record, and other circumstances. First-time offenders may be sentenced to a 6-month suspension or restriction. Suspension means that you cannot drive at any time, while restriction means that you can only drive to and from work or school. Second convictions can result in a loss of your license for up to 2 years. You may be able to get a restricted license, but only after serving at least one year of license suspension. You will also have to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle so that you are unable to drive under the influence once you obtain your restricted license. Third offenses can result in a license suspension of 3 years. The DMV will decide if you can get a restricted license or not.
Because the penalties for driving under the influence can make your life difficult, it is important to hire a
DUI attorney San Francisco who can use professional knowledge and experience to represent you.
About http://www.duiattorneysbayarea.com:
The Shefman-Law Group strives to provide DUI victims with DUI attorneys in the San Francisco area that will work tirelessly to minimize the penalties associated with the respective arrest. Further, the Shefman-Law Group believes in integrity, truth, and hard work. They work to educate citizens about their constitutional rights so that they may behave accordingly should a compromising situation with a law enforcement agent occur.
