California DUI Defense Lawyer
In California, drunk driving is a criminal offense that can affect your employment, your driving privileges and your freedom. It can also cost you thousands of dollars in fines, alcohol education classes and high-risk insurance costs. When so much is at stake, it only makes sense to hire a DUI defense lawyer.
I'm lawyer Mark J. Madrigali. From my office in Bakersfield, I represent clients throughout California who face DUI charges. I offer a free initial consultation.
California DUI Penalties:
- Loss of driver's license. You face suspension of your driver's license both as a result of your criminal DUI case, as well as the administrative process of the California DMV.
- Jail sentence. You could face jail time even for a first conviction. Any subsequent DUI arrest will mean a mandatory 10-day jail sentence.
- Fines. For a first DUI conviction, you face a fine of $1,600 in California, plus an additional driver's license reinstatement fee. You may also be required to pay for installation of an ignition interlock device as well as monthly monitoring fees for that device as a condition to keep driving.
- Loss of employment. If you are a county, municipal, state or federal government employee in California, you may be fired if you are convicted of drunk driving. If you have a Class A or commercial driver's license, a DUI conviction could mean the end of your career and the loss of your livelihood.
- Drunk-driving education. If you are convicted of DUI, you have to attend weekly alcohol education classes for at least three months. These classes typically cost from $700 to $1,000.
- High-risk auto insurance. In California, you will be required to file an SR22 form with your Insurance company when your driver's license is reinstated. This high-risk insurance is much more expensive than standard insurance, and your rates will increase by thousands of dollars for the three years you are required to purchase this insurance.
- Criminal record. A DUI conviction stays on your record for 10 years in California, not the three years common in some other states.
Free DUI defense attorney consultation
For more information about DUI/DWI penalties in California, call Bakersfield defense lawyer Mark J. Madrigali for a free initial consultation at 661-578-5659 (español 661-578-6272) or fill out our simple online contact form.
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