Are you in the habit of driving your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol? If you live in California this article will help to enlighten you on the DWI laws applicable in that state. Each state has different DWI laws but the underpinning principle is the same – do not drink and drive. The law is taking a very hard stand against people who drink and drive and if you hit someone while under the influence, heaven help you!
California DWI laws set forth the drunk driving statutes in the Vehicle Code and comprise the following laws:
A zero tolerance law applies to drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content of 0.01%. It is unlawful for such a person who has been an alcohol screening test to drive a vehicle.
Anyone under 18 years of age who is convicted of driving while intoxicated will have their license revoked until the age of 18 or for a period of one year, whichever is the longer term.
Anyone caught driving a vehicle while intoxicated will be given jail time, have their license suspended, put on probation and sent to an alcohol treatment program. The duration of jail time and license suspension increases with the number of violations. A habitual offender will be ordered to install an ignition interlock device.
Causing bodily harm while driving under the influence of alcohol will get you jail time, fine, license suspension and attendance at a treatment program.
Drivers are not allowed to have any alcoholic beverage open while driving the vehicle.
Anyone under the age of 21 is not allowed to drive a vehicle with alcohol in it and loss of license and vehicle impoundment will result if caught.
Anyone convicted a fourth time for a DWI offence within a period of 7 years will go to jail and possibly state prison.
The penalty for causing death or serious bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence of alcohol will earn additional jail time for each person injured; anywhere from one to three years will be added on to the sentence.
Anyone refusing to submit to testing or failure to comply with the officer’s request will face jail time, fine and license suspension.
Anyone speeding while under the influence of alcohol will be given jail time and sent for an alcohol treatment program.
When convicted of driving while intoxicated you should take the charges very seriously because convictions of this nature in California have serious and long lasting consequences. Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offence and you are not going to get off with a little slap on the wrist; a criminal record will haunt you for the rest of your life and ruin your chances of good employment as well. Apart from understanding the penalties associated with DWI, you should avoid driving at all when you have had a few drinks – this is the only way to stay out of trouble with the law!
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