Explaining Penalties for First Offense DUI Conviction

Driving under the influence is a crime, a serious one.  Just like any other criminal offense, being convicted of DUI carries some serious penalties that can negatively impact your entire life.  From losing your driving privileges from having to spend time in jail, DUI conviction is something you really want to fight to avoid.  Without the resources and knowledge of a Vista DUI lawyer at your disposal, winning your DUI case is unlikely.  That’s why it’s so important to hire a San Diego County DUI attorney and work to win your case so you don’t have to face these penalties.

Jail Time

If you are convicted of driving under the influence and it is your first conviction, there is a mandatory 48-hour jail sentence.  You may have the possibility of serving work release time instead of time in jail, but that will depend on the sentencing judge in your case.  Any jail time or work release time is unpleasant, so you’ll want to have the best Vista DUI lawyer representing you in court. 

Driver’s License Suspension

When you’re arrested for driving under the influence, your license is immediately suspended.  However, that’s not the only suspension you can receive.  The first license suspension is an administrative penalty for driving under the influence.  The court can also have your license suspended as a criminal penalty for driving under the influence.  This means that you can’t drive at all, leaving you to rely on family members, friends, or your local public transportation system to get where you need to go.  Not having driving privileges will severely impact your ability to perform daily life activities, so hiring a Vista DUI lawyer is one thing you can do to try to prevent this from happening.

Probation

Probation is another possible penalty for first-time DUI offenders.  During probation, you will need to report to a probation officer and may be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

DUI School

First-time DUI offenders may be sentenced to DUI school, an educational program that gives information on the effects of alcohol, the impact of DUI on victims, and other related topics.

Fines & Costs

First-time DUI offenders can also face fines and court costs that must be paid.  Timely payment of these fees may also be a condition of your probation, so it’s not something to take lightly.

The benefits of hiring a Vista DUI attorney are very clear.  Make the first move in building your defense by consulting with and hiring a lawyer as soon as possible.