California has strict laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI). The laws have been placed to ensure safety of the general public. There are serious legal consequences for individuals who are found guilty of drunk driving.
Ignorantia juris non excusat— Ignorance of a law is no excuse. You should educate yourself about the laws relating to drunk driving to avoid legal repercussions. Here are some important facts about DUI laws in California that you should know to avoid getting convicted of a DUI offense
Ignorantia juris non excusat— Ignorance of a law is no excuse. You should educate yourself about the laws relating to drunk driving to avoid legal repercussions. Here are some important facts about DUI laws in California that you should know to avoid getting convicted of a DUI offense
1. Blood Alcohol Limits
The state governing body has set blood alcohol limits (BAL) for a DUI offense. Persons who exceed the limits have to face the music in the court. The thresholds are based on the age of the individual. The limit is lower for younger individuals as they tend to drive more recklessly when drunk. Moreover, individuals who are on probation and commercial vehicle drivers have a low alcohol limit.
- The following is the BAL threshold for drivers in California.
- 0.08 percent for individuals above 21 years
- 0.04 for individuals who have a commercial driving license (CDL)
- 0.01 percent for individuals under 21 years
- 0.01 percent for persons on probation for a DUI offense
2. Driving Under Influence of Illegal Drugs
DUI laws in California also apply to driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Also, individuals who have taken excessive amounts of drugs like cough syrup can be convicted even if their blood alcohol limit is below the BAL threshold.
3. Penalties of DUI Offense
Individuals can face fine and jail time due to a DUI conviction. Also, their driving license can be suspended for a certain time or indefinitely in case of a serious offense. The exact penalties for individuals convicted of a DUI offense differ and depends on different factors such as blood alcohol levels, age, previous convictions, and license type.
4. Severity of Penalties
The penalties are particularly severe in case someone is injured or dies due to driving under the influence. Other cases that can result in harsher penalties due to drunk driving include the following:
- Blood alcohol level greater than 0.15 percent in most counties
- Not agreeing to take a blood alcohol test
- Driving at high speeds
- Under the age of 21
- Causing damage to public property
- Driving under the influence with a child under the age of 14 in the car
Conclusion
California laws are strict when it comes to driving under the influence. While you can’t get away from the consequences of drunk driving, you can increase the odds of a less severe penalty by hiring a DUI attorney. An experienced DUI attorney will look at all the evidence to find out how to get a less severe verdict for the offense.
Contact one of our DUI lawyers serving San Bernardino & Riverside for professional advice regarding DUI cases in California. Our attorneys have been providing qualified, expert legal advice to residents in the state for decades.
Contact one of our DUI lawyers serving San Bernardino & Riverside for professional advice regarding DUI cases in California. Our attorneys have been providing qualified, expert legal advice to residents in the state for decades.
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