What are the Potential Repercussions?
Driving under the influence is treated very seriously, and most states work hard to keep offenders off the road especially those with multiple convictions.
Usually charged as a misdemeanor, if you have three DUI convictions within the last ten years, your charge will be considered a felony.
Also causing injury or the accidental death of another person will result in you being charged as a felony.
Punishments range from fines, suspension of your license, and jail time, and the conviction will appear on your record for ten years.
Here are some of the penalties in Dublin, California.
Financial Consequences
First-time offenders can face fines from $390 to $1,800 in addition to court fees.
When combined with penalty assessments and substance testing fees, these fees can reach up to $18,000 – but average around $13,500.
License Suspension
An even bigger problem facing motorists arrested for a DUI will probably have their license suspended.
A DUI or DWI offender will likely face a license suspension by the court or at a DMV hearing. In Dublin, if you are facing your first DUI, you are likely to lose your license for up to six months.
A second DUI conviction will see you face a two-year suspension, and a third one is three years.
This period of license suspension will depend on if you have prior convictions and aggravating circumstances like an injury caused while you were driving.
The first thing you will face is consent to a blood or breath test. If you refuse, you are likely to face a longer suspension period from one to three years.
You may be eligible for a restricted license that will allow you to drive to school or work.
You will also have just ten days to make a DMV hearing request to contest your license suspension. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to handle this for you even without your presence at the hearing.
You could also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) at your own cost.
This is a device that will require you to pass a breathalyzer test before you can start your car and may have to use it from 6 months up to two years.
Attend a DUI School
Depending on the circumstances around your DUI/DWI conviction, a judge might instruct you to complete a program at a DUI school.
Depending on prior DUI arrests, the type of class you have to take will vary.
- Wet reckless: This is usually for a reckless driving charge involving a fairly low blood alcohol content and for a first-time offender. This is a 12 hour DUI program that costs around $270.
- First offender: if you have no former DUIs, you can be required to complete one of three courses.
- 3 month – 30-hour course
- 6 months – 44-hour course
- 9 month – 60-hour course
The duration of this program will depend on your blood alcohol content and includes counseling, and drug and alcohol education. Costs can range from $850 – $1,850 and you can only miss 5-7 classes before meeting the court requirements.
- Second-time offender: If you have 2 or more DUIs, you can expect to attend an 18-month course at a cost of $1,900 – $2,600 that will involve alcohol and drug education as well as counseling and reentry monitoring.
- Third-time offender: This is a 30-month program for those who have three or more prior DUIs and a high BAC. Along with counseling, it will also require community service. You can be prepared to pay around $3,000 and miss only 15 classes.
Jail Time
The worst-case scenario could result in jail time. Although not common for first-time offenders, repeat convictions can result in jail time in Dublin.
The extent of jail time depends mostly on how many prior convictions you have and the nature of your offense.
- First offenders can be jailed for a maximum of six months.
- Second-time offenders may face time between 96 hours to one year.
- Third-time offenders can be jailed from between 120 days to one year.
