Monthly Archives - January 2013

Penalties for a DUI in San Francisco CA

The penalties for a DUI conviction in California can be far-reaching, especially if it is not your first offense, which is why a DUI attorney in San Francisco is of the utmost importance. If you are a first-time DUI offender, you will face fines, with a possibility of a license suspension and jail time, but the penalties can be much steeper and more far reaching if you are a repeat offender. When you first meet with your San Francisco DUI attorney, he or she will inform you of what you are up against, how it can be an uphill battle and what can happen if convicted.

For a second-time DUI conviction, you can face a minimum fine of $390 and a maximum fine of $1,000. Each of these come with additional mandatory penalty assessments that make the fine even higher. You license can be suspended by the DMV for up to two years and you may also spend a minimum of 90 days in jail and a maximum of a year behind bars. There is also the possibility that you may be placed on probation, in which case your jail time would be lessened. Your vehicle may also be impounded and you may be required to enter an alcohol treatment program.

A third time offender can have their license revoked for up to three year and you could be legally labeled as a “habitual traffic offender”. You may also not have your license reinstated unless you can prove that you attended a treatment program that was successfully completed. If you drive with a suspended license when labeled as such, the consequences can be even more devastating than anything you have experienced with DUI charges in the past. Avoiding a conviction should be of the utmost importance and that is why it is necessary to have an experience and knowledgeable San Francisco DUI lawyer on your side.

One DUI charge can change your entire life. If convicted you will have a criminal record, could lose driving privileges which can make getting to work more difficult, your insurance premiums may skyrocket and future employment opportunities can be bleak.

This can take its toll on your family, cost you a fortune in fines and court fees and also disrupt the course of your life for months at a time. While it is never a good idea to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, what you face legally can be devastating. If you have a legal battle ahead of you, call a DUI lawyer in San Francisco today to help you in the fight of your life.

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