California DUI Penalties: What to Expect After a DUI Conviction

Facing a DUI charge in California can feel overwhelming and isolating. Whether it’s your first offense or not, the uncertainty about license suspension, jail time, and how your future will be affected can be incredibly stressful.

You may be worried about your job, your family, or whether you’ll lose your driver’s license. We understand what you’re going through and are here to support you every step of the way.

We’ll walk you through California DUI penalties and what to expect after a DUI conviction under state DUI laws, as well as how a Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you fight for the best possible outcome.

What Penalties to Expect After a DUI Conviction in California

DUIs carry various penalties and legal consequences depending on the specifics of the incident. Whether you refused a chemical test, your age, and how many times you’ve been convicted in the past can all play a part in determining your sentencing.

Fortunately, hiring a skilled lawyer to challenge your charges can help you avoid harsh penalties. That said, familiarizing yourself with California DUI penalties and what to expect after a DUI conviction can be helpful. You could face any of the following penalties for impaired driving:

A License Suspension

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your license through an administrative per se hearing after an arrest for driving with an elevated blood alcohol content (BAC). This suspension generally begins 30 days after your arrest, regardless of a conviction.

You can face this suspension even for a first-time DUI. You may face an additional suspension as a criminal penalty if your arrest results in a criminal conviction for driving a vehicle while over the legal limit.

Having your driving privileges suspended can make your life incredibly difficult. Instead of accepting this fate, you’ll want to hire an attorney who can fight for your right to drive.

Usage of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

The court may also require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle after a DUI conviction. This tool is essentially a breathalyzer that is attached to your vehicle and won’t let you drive unless you blow under the legal limit.

Fines

When discussing California DUI penalties and what you can expect after a DUI conviction, it’s important to discuss fines. Fines are one of the many consequences you may face if convicted of a DUI.

Generally, you’ll have to pay a small fine for a first-time DUI and a higher fine for subsequent offenses. Depending on the specifics of your case and how many DUIs you’ve been convicted of in the past, you could end up having to pay anywhere between $390 and $3,600 in fines.

Luckily, a skilled attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced or dropped. If successful, your fines could be reduced, or you may not have to pay at all.

Incarceration

After a DUI conviction, you may face more severe penalties, such as a prison or jail sentence. Depending on how many DUIs you’ve been convicted of in the past, you could face any of the following sentences:

• 48 hours to six months for a first-time offense
• 10 days to one year for a second offense
• 120 days to one year for a third offense
• 180 days to three years for four or more offenses

A prison or jail sentence can seriously impact your life and result in a criminal record that makes it hard for you to find employment in the future. The good news is that a skilled defense attorney can fight to get your sentence lessened or thrown out entirely.

Time in DUI School

Finally, a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol could allow the court to order you to attend an alcohol treatment or education program. You can reach out to a law firm for legal advice about how to handle these charges.

Additionally, some drivers may have to perform community service.

Do DUI Penalties Change Based on Your Criminal Record?

As mentioned earlier, your DUI penalties can change if you have a criminal record. In California, you face specific penalties for a first, second, third, or fourth (or subsequent) DUI within ten years.

Here are some of the California DUI penalties you can expect to face if you have prior convictions:

First-Time Conviction

If this is a first-time DUI offense, the penalties you may face are relatively small. Here’s what you can expect from your first DUI conviction:

• License suspension of 4 months or longer
• Up to 6 months in county jail
• Fines and fees of up to $3,600 (the total cost can range up to $15,649)
• Three months of DUI school
• Possible installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle
• Three to five years of DUI probation

Although these penalties are much less severe than those you could face after a prior conviction, you don’t want a DUI on your record. So, regardless of whether these penalties seem minor, you shouldn’t just accept them.

Make sure you get the legal representation you need to handle drunk driving charges as a first-time offender.

Second Offense DUI

The penalties associated with a second DUI offense are slightly more serious than those you could face after a first-time offense. You’ll want to hire an experienced lawyer to help you avoid the following consequences:

• License suspension of up to two years
• More time in jail (up to one year)
• Fines and fees of up to $4,000
• 18 months or 30 months of DUI school
• Installation of an IID and required use of a restricted license
• Three to five years of DUI probation

These penalties are harsher than those for a first-time DUI conviction. If you’ve been brought up on charges for a second offense DUI, you will most likely face one or more of the above penalties.

Keep in mind that you can face these potential consequences after a lawful arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Third Offense DUI

If this is your third DUI offense, it’s critical that you hire an attorney and familiarize yourself with what DUI penalties to expect after a conviction in California. Here are some of the consequences you could suffer if this is your third offense:

• License suspension of up to three years
• Up to one year in jail or up to 16 months in state prison
• Fines and fees of up to $18,000
• 30 months of DUI school
• IID usage and a requirement to use a restricted license
• Three to five years of DUI probation

If this is your third offense, the judge and prosecution will not be lenient. Make sure to work with a seasoned legal representative to increase your chances of getting your charges dropped or reduced to a lesser offense.

Fourth Offense DUI

In California, individuals with four or more offenses can expect to face extremely severe penalties. If this is your fourth offense, a conviction could result in the following outcomes:

• License suspension of up to four years
• Possible permanent license suspension
• Up to 16 months of prison time
• Fines and fees of up to $18,000
• 30 months of DUI school
• Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle
• Three to five years of DUI probation
• Status as a convicted felon

Fourth-offense DUIs carry harsher penalties because they often count as felony offenses, and you’re more than likely going to get all of them brought on you upon conviction.

Don’t end up in this position. Getting a lawyer is almost mandatory if you want to avoid lasting consequences.

Special Penalties for Refusing the Chemical Test

Under California law, if you get arrested for DUI, you will have to submit to a chemical test.

Refusing the test can result in additional penalties, such as license suspension. Refusal can add an extra one, two, or three years of license suspension to your sentence, depending on whether it’s your first, second, or third DUI offense.

Penalties for a DUI Under 21

If you are not of legal drinking age, your DUI is known as an “underage” DUI. California has a Zero-Tolerance Policy for underage drinking and driving. Therefore, any amount of alcohol or other intoxicants in your system is enough to convict you.

If convicted, you may receive a one-year license revocation in addition to the penalties for of-age drivers. You could also face penalties for carrying alcohol illegally in your vehicle, which has a $1,000 fine and a one-year license suspension on its own.

A defense lawyer can provide more information on the penalties you can face for an underage DUI conviction in California.

Penalties for a Commercial DUI

If you get arrested for DUI and carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you are in danger of losing your career. In addition to the standard penalties above, you face stricter license suspension penalties if convicted:

• One-year license suspension for your first offense
• Permanent revocation of your CDL for your second offense in 10 years

Commercial vehicle drivers often operate large and dangerous vehicles. Therefore, potential penalties for commercial drivers can be extremely high.

If you have a CDL and are facing DUI charges, don’t hesitate to hire a lawyer ASAP. They can work tirelessly to protect your license and career.

Other Penalties You Can Expect for a DUI Conviction in California

Besides criminal penalties, DUIs can come with additional consequences. Depending on the specific details of your case, you could experience any of the following consequences:

• Increased insurance premiums from your car insurance company
• Trouble applying for jobs
• Obstacles when enrolling in a college program
• Problems qualifying for financial aid

It’s important to note that a DUI conviction can cost you two points on your license and stay on your driving record for ten years. You could also be declared a habitual traffic offender if you accumulate enough points. You can review additional penalties in more detail with an attorney.

You Only Face Penalties if You Get Convicted

With the exception of license suspension, you can avoid all the penalties if your DUI charge is dropped, dismissed, or even reduced to a lesser charge. If you move quickly, lawyers can even fight the license suspension.

An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you fight your charge, request an administrative hearing with the DMV, and, in many cases, walk away without legal penalties.

A legal professional can also advise you on California’s DUI penalties and what you should expect from a DUI conviction.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help Your Case

Even if you’re facing first-time charges for impaired driving, it’s important to take your situation seriously and hire a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Under California DUI laws, a conviction can lead to long-term consequences, including license suspension, jail time, criminal convictions, and costly court fees.

An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer understands what’s at stake and can develop a strategy tailored to your specific case. Here’s what a California DUI lawyer can do to protect your freedom, future, and driving privileges:

Investigate the Details of Your DUI Arrest

A skilled attorney will examine the circumstances of your arrest, including whether proper procedures were followed during chemical testing or preliminary alcohol screening. They’ll also review whether the arresting officer complied with the California Vehicle Code and implied consent laws.

Gather and Analyze Crucial Evidence

Your lawyer will collect body cam footage, DUI arrest records, accident reports, a copy of the breathalyzer test or blood test results, and witness statements.

If your blood alcohol content (BAC) or blood alcohol concentration was near the legal limit, your attorney can challenge the reliability of the test results or argue procedural errors during the chemical test.

Build a Strategic DUI Defense

Using all gathered evidence, your attorney can craft a solid defense—especially in cases involving underage DUI, repeat offenses, or violations of implied consent laws. This includes defending your rights during your DMV hearing with the California DMV or in a criminal trial.

Fight to Prevent License Suspension

A conviction may result in suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, but a lawyer can help you request a DMV hearing in time and fight to keep your license. In some cases, they can advocate for a restricted license or help you avoid the status of habitual traffic offender.

Pursue Favorable Outcomes Through Plea Bargaining

In some cases, your lawyer may negotiate with the District Attorney for a plea bargain that reduces your charges, minimizes penalties, or allows you to avoid jail time. Effective plea bargaining can sometimes turn a DUI into a lesser charge, avoiding the harshest outcomes of a DUI conviction.

Help You Fulfill Court Requirements

If conviction is unavoidable, your attorney will guide you through any required DUI education programs, DUI school, alcohol program, or court-ordered community service work. They may also connect you to a certified DUI Treatment Program to fulfill sentencing terms and potentially reduce your penalties.

Provide Representation in All Legal Proceedings

From DMV hearings to pretrial conferences, criminal trials, or even a related civil lawsuit, your attorney will represent your interests every step of the way.

Their goal is to get your charges reduced or dismissed, especially if your case involved a borderline blood alcohol level, mishandled chemical testing, or improper arrest procedures.

Offer Knowledge Gained from Handled Cases

An experienced attorney has handled cases just like yours and knows how to anticipate the moves of the prosecution. They understand how the Department of Motor Vehicles evaluates DUI records and what steps to take to protect your driving privileges and future.

Learn More About California DUI Penalties and What to Expect From a DUI Conviction

Now that you’re familiar with California DUI penalties and what to expect after a DUI conviction, it’s time to get the legal assistance you need to get a fair case outcome. At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide effective legal guidance to individuals like you.

Contact us today (we’re available to connect you with a lawyer 24/7) to learn more about your legal rights and options after a conviction. For more information, visit our FAQ page.