From Bakersfield to Visalia, the criminal defense attorneys at Thompson Law help people in Kern and Tulare counties who have been arrested for drunk driving and charged with driving under the influence (DUI). A DUI conviction is a serious matter. In addition to the possibility of fines and jail time, you can be subject to numerous consequences and legal disabilities. Plus, you will have a criminal record and may be considered a multiple or repeat offender if charged with other violations of criminal law in the future.

Here are some of the consequences you can face from even a single DUI conviction:

• Fines - conviction of a first offense can result in a fine up to $1,000. The amount increases for subsequent offenses, for an especially high blood alcohol concentration, or for certain drivers of commercial vehicles or people transporting minors at the time.
• Jail - up to six months of jail time is possible for a first-time conviction, and up to a year for a second offense. If a death occurred during a drunk driving incident, the driver can be charged with vehicular manslaughter or other homicide crimes, with significant prison time facing one if convicted.
• Surcharges and Assessments - the fees assessed by the court can make a DUI conviction considerably more expensive than the fines alone.
• Alcohol Education Program - Completion of a Driving Under the Influence program will be required of anyone convicted of DUI.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID) - you may be required to have an IID placed on your vehicle, which will prevent you from driving if you have had anything to drink.
• Vehicle Confiscation - Upon conviction of a third DUI offense, your vehicle may be confiscated.

Your Driver's License

What happens to your driver's license if you are arrested for drunk driving is entirely separate from any criminal proceeding. In an administrative proceeding, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) acts immediately to suspend or revoke your license. On a first offense, your license will be suspended for four months. For a subsequent offense, you will lose your license for one year. If you wish to contest this suspension, you must request a hearing within ten days of having received notice of the proposed suspension. We can help you in this process, but you must act quickly.

The Long Arm of a DUI Conviction

Having a DUI conviction means having an arrest record and a criminal conviction record. These records can prevent you from getting or keeping certain jobs or government service. You will likely have to obtain more expensive SR 22 auto insurance. You may also experience damage to your reputation in the community, and stress in your home life as well. As criminal defense and family law attorneys, we have seen the damage criminal proceedings and their consequences can have on a marriage.

As with drug crime prosecutions, serious questions may exist surrounding your arrest, from the type of testing conducted and the equipment used, to how and when incriminating statements may have been elicited, the chain of custody of the evidence being used against you, and more. We conduct a thorough investigation of every aspect of your arrest and subsequent proceedings to make sure your rights are not violated at any stage. Where alternative sentencing or alternatives to prosecution are available, we will fully advise you of any such alternatives to trial which may be in your best interest.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, don't trust your fate to the prosecutor and the courts. You need caring, qualified attorneys on your side who will fight to achieve the best outcome possible in your case. Contact Thompson Law for a free consultation.