A DUI charge can be a very serious situation. It can be a very expensive situation and ultimately can affect every area of your life. There are a lot of things that can happen when you get a DUI in California, and none of them are good. The cost alone of a DUI in California can run close to $10,000 after lawyer fees, fines, and penalties. Learn more about what can happen when you get a DUI in California and how you can save money during the process.
First Time Offenders
If this is your first-time offense and you are convicted of a DUI in California, it does not exclude you from potentially suffering some of the harsher penalties. For example, you could face up to six months in jail. Your license can be suspended for up to six months, you may face probation for up to three years, and you may need to complete a DUI class.
You can face fines up to $1,000, although typically with first offenses, your fines can be lower. On average, the first-time offender, when convicted, gets to save money on their fines. The fines can be as low as $370, which is not cheap, but it is a way to save money compared to the second offense, which can ring up much steeper fines.
Circumstances Matter
The punishment for a DUI in California is typically in line with the circumstances of the DUI. For example, aggravating circumstances will result in harsher penalties. Aggravating circumstances include:
- Causing serious bodily harm while driving under the influence.
- Driving a “for hire” vehicle while driving under the influence.
- Your third or more DUI.
- Driving under the influence after your license has been suspended.
An aggravated DUI is a much more serious charge and is met with much more severe penalties. There is little to no way to save money on this type of charge. The cost of a DUI charge of this magnitude can easily be in excess of $20,000.
Circumstances That Can Help With a DUI Charge
There are mitigating factors that can play in your favor if you have been charged and convicted of a DUI in California. For example, in California, the legal limit for intoxication is a blood alcohol level of 0.08%. If you are slightly over the legal limit, the judge may be lenient with you, but don’t depend on it.
Other mitigating factors that may help you save money on a DUI charge and ultimately get you some leniency include:
- No prior history of driving problems. A good driving record can help your case.
- Good behavior during the charging process. If you are cooperative after being charged it can help you.
- No victims and no property damage. If you were pulled at a DUI checkpoint and charged with a DUI, the penalties can be less than if you were involved in an accident.
Mitigating factors are typically pointed out by your attorney to convince the judge to keep your sentence light and help you to save money on fines and penalties. You likely will not walk away without some sort of penalty if you have mitigating factors in your case that can help prove this is a one-and-done type of situation for you, but you will likely save money on fines, and it will be easier to get your license back.
Are Licenses Always Suspended?
California has some of the strictest DUI laws in the United States. You will lose your license for six months at a minimum even with your first offense. It can be a tremendous inconvenience to not drive for those six months, but you should not drive while your license is suspended. In some cases, your attorney can petition the court for a restricted license that will allow you to drive during certain hours.
If you have been charged with a DUI hire an attorney. Some people make the mistake of thinking that they can save money by not hiring an attorney and defending themselves. The fact is it can be a costly mistake to try to save money by fighting this type of case Per Se (on your own). Hire an attorney that is experienced in California DUI and get a better outcome.