An Overview of California Drunk Driving Laws

If you are a driver in the state of California, it is very important for you to know and understand California drunk driving laws.sAlthough many of the laws on the books in California follow federal guidelines and are similar to the drunk driving laws of other states, it is important to know what the laws in California are instead of assuming that all drunk driving laws are the same.

Under California drunk driving laws, a person is considered to be under the influence of alcohol if the alcohol content of their breath or blood is higher than 0.08%.sThe measurement of the alcohol content can be done by using a breathalyzer machine or a simple chemical test to determine the person’s level of intoxication.sIn nearly all cases, these tests are performed after the person has failed several field sobriety tests and have been transported to a specific, police-controlled location for testing.

If a person is arrested under California drunk driving laws, they then have the option of pleading guilty to the charges or hiring California DUI lawyers to attempt to prove their innocence.sThe person will appear before a judge who, after hearing all of the evidence, will determine if a conviction is warranted and the punishment that will accompany the conviction.sAlthough California drunk driving laws including sentencing guidelines for the offense, the judge often has some leeway in sentencing and will make the determination based on the extenuating circumstances surrounding the drunk driving arrest.

There are a number of penalties that can be assessed after a conviction for a California DUI.sThe person will have to serve a mandatory jail sentence and will be fined a hefty amount for breaking the law.sThey will also have their driving privileges suspended and their driver’s license revoked for a period of time set by the judge.sOther penalties include mandatory attendance at a state drunk driving school, community service requirements, the installation of an ignition interlock device on the vehicle, and a probationary period of up to three years.sCalifornia drunk driving laws are clear about the consequences of driving under the influence in the state.

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