There are very few charges that can be leveled against a driver that are as devastating as a DUI. These misdemeanors and felonies are unlike anything else in the world and those that attempt to combat their charges without the assistance of our Santa Monica DUI attorney will have very little chance of walking out of the courthouse without a life-altering conviction. Here is a look at just some of the penalties that a driver may receive if they are arrested and convicted of a DUI.
The final consequences of a DUI conviction will come down to the county in which the DUI was issued as well as the driver’s record. For those that have never received a felony DUI or have not received any form of DUI within the past 10 years, the first penalty will be an immediate suspension of the license for 4 months or longer. The driver will also be placed on informal probation for a number of years, and this probation will come with its own unique restrictions.
A DUI will also affect a driver’s finances for ten years or longer, beginning with a steep fine that could easily exceed $1,000 or more after court assessment fees. Some of the other basic costs include the charges for the car impound, bail, tuition for sobriety classes, the installation of an ignition interlock device, and license reinstatement fees.
One of the most expensive consequences of a DUI will be the increases to the driver’s insurance premiums. Most drivers will be required to file an SR-22 with their insurance company that will then sign these papers and hand them over to the DMV. This almost always results in the individual becoming a “high risk” driver and the monthly premiums will increase accordingly. According to most experts, the final cost of even a single DUI could be as much as $15,000 or more over the course of 10 years.
No driver should ever accept one of these misdemeanors or felonies without a fight. The team of legal specialists here at duiattorneysantamonicaca.com have worked with countless clients over the years, helping them develop the airtight cases that they need to reduce or completely remove these penalties.
Visit http://www.duiattorneysantamonicaca.com to learn more.