San Bernardino DUI Attorney

Whether you need help with a basic drunk driving charge or a felony vehicular assault case, our San Bernardino DUI attorneys can advise and support you through every stage of your case. Contact one of these San Bernardino DUI Attorneys today for a free consultation.

When faced with a San Bernardino DUI arrest and/or conviction, there are a number of issues to consider: Will you have to serve jail time? If so, for how long? Or is probation a possibility? What will you owe in fines? Will your license be suspended, and for how long? Will you have to go to a DUI school or do community service? These are questions best asked a San Bernardino DUI Attorney, but here are the basic laws regarding California DUI fines and sentencing.

Drunk Driving Laws in California

While Driving in the State of California it is illegal to :

Drivers under 21 may not have beer, wine or liquor in their vehicle while they are driving alone. (Their may be exceptions for work related driving)
Drivers under 21 with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of .01 or higher.
Drivers Under 21 after consuming alcohol in any form, including cough syrup, and prescription drugs.
Any driver with a BAC .08 or higher.
Any vehicle requiring a commercial driver license with a BAC of .04 percent or higher
Driver under 18, ANY measurable blood alcohol concentration.
Repeat offenders may not have a BAC of .01 or Greater
As you can read above, in the State of California has strict drunk driving laws for drivers under the age of 21 and repeat offenders (.01%) and a “no tolerance” law for drivers under the age of 18. In addition a driver of a commercial vehicle is only allowed to have a .04% BAC.

Drunk driving laws in The State of California are similar to many other DUI laws across the United States. California’s DUI law prohibits a person from driving when they have a concentration of .08 percent or more alcohol in their blood system. This is the standard measurement use by all states for the “impaired” driver.

California DUI Conviction

On your first DUI conviction in California you will receive Jail for no less than 96 hours and no more than 6 months. The fine will be no less than $390 and no more than $1,000. Your drivers license will be suspended for six months, however, if allowed, the court may grant the convicted a temporary restricted license. Your drivers license will not be reinstated until proof of financial responsibility and proof that you have completed a “driving under the influence” program approved by the state. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a first time DUI offender may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device at their own expense.

A second DUI conviction in California will get you Jail for no less than 90 days and no more than 1 year. The fine will be no less than $390 and no more than $1,000 . Your drivers license will be suspended for 1 year. Your drivers license will not be reinstated until proof of financial responsibility and proof that you have completed a “driving under the influence” program approved by the state. Depending on the terms of the license suspension, the DUI offender may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device at their own expense.

Your third DUI conviction in California will get you Jail for no less than 120 days and no more than 1 year. The fine will be no less than $390 and no more than $1,000 . You will be considered by the state a “habitual traffic offender” for 3 years following your conviction and have your license suspended for 2 years. Your drivers license will not be reinstated until proof of financial responsibility and proof that you have completed a “driving under the influence” program approved by the state. The person may apply for a restricted driver’s license under certain circumstances by the court, however an Ignition Interlock Device may be required.

On your fourth DUI conviction in California you will receive Jail, Prison or both, for no less than 180 days and no more than 1 year. The fine will be no less than $390 and no more than $1,000 . You will be considered by the state a “habitual traffic offender” for 3 years following your conviction and have your license revoked for 3 years. Your drivers license will not be reinstated until proof of financial responsibility and proof that you have completed a “driving under the influence” program approved by the state. The person may apply for a restricted driver’s license under certain circumstances by the court. The person may apply for a restricted driver’s license under certain circumstances by the court.