Will I go to jail if I am convicted of a San Diego DUI?
If you are convicted of even a 1st offense DUI in San Diego, you could face jail time. The amount of jail time generally depends on the circumstances of the case. Just because you are arrested for driving under the influence does not mean that you have to plead guilty and it does not mean that you have to do jail time. You need to contact an experienced San Diego DUI Defense Attorney immediately after arrest to get the best possible outcome.
Will I automatically lose my license if I am arrested for a San Diego DUI?
After an arrest for driving under the influence in San Diego, you have 10 calendar days to contact the California DMV to request a hearing and put a hold on the automatic suspension of your driving privileges. Failure to contact the DMV within 10 days will result in the suspension of your driving privileges 30 days after the date of arrest. If you are arrested for a San Diego DUI you must contact the San Diego Driver’s Safety Office via telephone at (619) 220-5300 or via fax at (619) 220-5418. You cannot make the request in person or at a regular DMV branch. It is imperative that you get the name of the person you speak to and it is a good idea to follow up with a fax confirmation of the hearing.
Is a drunk driving offense considered a misdemeanor or a felony?
The charges depend on the circumstances of the case. For most drunk driving offenses you will be charged with a misdemeanor. However, there are a number of instances where you could be charged with a felony. For instance, if it is your 4th DUI offense or if you are involved in a DUI with injury where the prosecutor feels the facts are egregious enough to obtain felony charges.
What penalties will I face if I am arrested for a San Diego DUI?
Penalties for driving under the influence in San Diego include a loss of your driving privileges, fines ranging from $390 to $1000 plus penalty assessments, jail time, mandatory alcohol program, required proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) to the DMV, 3 to 5 years of informal probation, a MADD Victim Impact Panel and community service.