7 Things You Might Not Expect During Your Riverside DUI Case
If you live in Riverside County, you face particularly harsh penalties if you are convicted of DUI. In 2012, more than 17% of California’s DUI arrests were made in Riverside, and DUI checkpoints are often set up in the area.
Because of the high rate of DUI arrests, and the severe penalties that often follow, you should be aware of these seven things regarding DUI cases in Riverside County.
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You face 3 years of informal probation
There are two types of probation in California. “Summary,” or informal probation, is probation without supervision by a probation officer. Even though you won’t be required to report to a probation officer, being on probation comes with a number of requirements that can make life difficult, including not being able to travel without getting permission from your probation officer. Additionally, you could face serious penalties if you violate the terms of your probation.
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Fines and fees add up to approximately $2,250
If you are convicted of DUI in Riverside, you face fines and fees that will total up to $2,250 or more. When you factor in potential restitution and increased insurance rates, that amount could jump six-fold. That is why it is important to have an experienced DUI attorney defending you if you are charged with DUI.
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Your license could be suspended for 6 months
Few people realize that when they are charged with DUI, they actually have two cases to deal with. The first is the criminal case and the second is with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV could decide to suspend your driver’s license for up to six months at a DMV hearing or upon conviction for DUI.
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You will be required to attend and complete a minimum 16-week DUI course
Also known as AB 541, Riverside requires you to complete a minimum 3- or 4-month treatment program consisting of 32 hours of education, group or individual counseling. This includes being required to attend a number of Alcoholics Anonymous classes.
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You face a 6 to 10-day jail sentence
You could face mandatory jail time if you are convicted of DUI in California. The minimum mandatory jail sentence is 6 to 10 days. This can be served either jail, through work release or via house arrest. Even if you have no prior criminal history, you will likely serve some length of jail time due to Riverside County’s harsh DUI laws.
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You will be responsible for paying for any costs related to a punishment for a DUI
You will be responsible for paying for DUI classes, reissuance of your license, and for the installation and monitoring of an ignition interlock device if one is ordered in your case. These costs can add up quickly, and are in addition to any fines and fees that you must pay the court.
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A private attorney can make court appearance on your behalf
Riverside County is typically in a budget shortfall, and this means the court system can become very congested. Hiring an attorney can save you the headache of having to wait in long lines in order to personally appear.
Contact a Riverside DUI Defense Attorney Today
The potential penalties for receiving a DUI conviction in Riverside are severe. If you are being charged with a DUI in Riverside, you need to contact an experienced Riverside DUI defense attorney immediately. At Wallin & Klarich, our Riverside criminal defense attorneys have been successfully defending our clients against DUI charges for over 40 years. We can help you, too.
Call us at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free telephone consultation. We will get through this together.
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