DUI Prior Convictions in Aliso Viejo
Summary: This page covers Administrative Penalties, Criminal Penalties, Getting Competent Help.
If you have to stand before the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a criminal DUI court for 2nd or 3rd time DUI cases, then you will face stiffer penalties, especially if you appear within a ‘lookback period’ of 10 years. Because getting a DUI is a priorable offense, having prior DUI charges on your record and other factors such as whether or not any other parties were injured due to operating a vehicle while intoxicated can influence the severity of the penalties for a DUI. The consequences will get more serious as the number of DUI convictions starts to climb. Other factors that may influence a California DUI sentence is having a particularly high BAC (blood alcohol content), driving excessively recklessly, having a child be present in the car, or being under the age of 21 at the time of the offense.
If you face a DUI charge after the 10-year period, then the charge will be considered to be a 1st time offence. The 10-year period is counted from arrest date to arrest date.
Also, if you have had more than 3 DUIs within 10 years then you could be charged with a Felony DUI and face up to 3 years in state prison, up to $1,000 in fines, and a suspension of your driver’s license for 4 years. These penalties will apply even if no injury was caused along with the DUI charge.
Administrative Penalties
Depending on the case specifics including prior penalties, administrative penalties usually involve:
- License suspension
- Mandatory alcohol and drug evaluation before license reinstatement
- Mandatory installation of a ‘breath alcohol ignition interlock device’ before license reinstatement and
- SR-22 insurance coverage before the license is re-instated
Criminal Penalties
Additional criminal charges for prior DUI convictions may also be involved and could include:
- A few hours/days to years in county or state jail and
- A fine of to a few thousand dollars including restitution if injury was caused to another party
- Murder charges if someone was killed
Getting Competent Help
Whether it is your first time or not to be charged with a DUI-related offence, it is imperative that you find a capable attorney to represent you. The attorney should be competent in DUI laws and they should provide you with a good strategy that will minimize the penalties you face under the circumstances. In order for you to find the optimal amount of justice, an experienced lawyer must be there to aid you in this difficult process.
Johnson Criminal Law Group has a long list of vendors who provide services to our clients when their cases require SR-22 insurance, Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices, treatment facilities, and virtually any service the court might ask you to complete as a part of your sentence. Our DUI lawyers are ready to hear your case and develop the best strategy to ensure your constitutional rights are protected.
Call our criminal law office today so we can begin working on your case.
