Get the Facts About DUI Laws
As the holidays approach, there will be a greater increase in the number of DUI arrests made throughout the country and California is no exception. At the end of many office party or other holiday gathers, some folks will find themselves debating whether or not they should get behind the wheel of a car. First and foremost, if you’re near anyone who is having that debate, end the discussion by calling them a cab or taking them home yourself. In other words, if you have ask someone if they are safe to drive, they probably aren’t. On the other hand, you might also find yourself in the position when you own driving skills have become impaired. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of a drunk driving arrest, the best course of action would be to secure the services of an Orange County DUI lawyer or a Santa Ana DUI lawyer. You don’t want to face a DUI charge by yourself.
The first thing you should know about California DUI laws is that like most of the nation, the legal definition of driving drunk means you will have a blood alcohol content or BAC greater than .08. It’s hard to say just how many drinks it takes for a person to have a .08 BAC or higher because each person metabolizes alcohol differently. Rest assured that no judge will accept the excuse that you know better when it comes to how many drinks you can “handle.”
As a qualified Orange County DUI attorney or Santa Ana DUI attorney will tell you, California treats DUI offenses very seriously. Anyone who is found guilty of a DUI charge can be facing an uphill battle of some very serious consequences. For instance, even with a single DUI guilty charge, you’ll be required to adjust your auto insurance to carry a SR22 restricted driver policy. The SR22 insurance riders will instantly cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. Not to mention the fact that you will also be subjected to follow-up inspections and courses in alcohol abuse.
Then there is the issue of jail time. In California, a first time DUI offense can land you in jail for up to six months. Think about that for a moment? That extra drink you had before leaving your office Christmas party could actually mean going to jail for six months. This is why you need to have a qualified Orange County DUI attorney or Santa Ana DUI attorney representing you in any of these matters. The jail time is not automatic. It only occurs with a conviction.
You should also know that repeat DUI offenders are not looked upon favorably by the courts. Although you might think you can skate by a first time offense by paying a fine and taking some classes, with a second or third DUI conviction you might just be facing some mandatory jail time along with adding ignition devices to your car which won’t let you start the engine unless you blow a BAC lower than .08. That’s going to be a major hassle and that’s exactly why you need an experienced Orange County DUI attorney or Santa Ana DUI attorney on your case.
Read more about Legal Blogs.