Getting a DUI in the State of California

Being caught for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime.  A new report comes out every year in January from the California Drinking Under Influence Management Information System. Each year this report lists everything from how many people were arrested to how many were prosecuted. Highlights of the 2012 report include information regarding the increase and decrease of crashes and fatalities.  The good news is that the overall numbers are going down.  Specifically, alcohol-involved crash fatalities were down almost 15.1 percent in 2010.  This is the biggest reduction since this decreasing trend began in 2006.  Other highlights of the report stated, "from the total number of fatalities from crashes, the percentage of fatalities due to DUI decreased 41.1% in the year 2009 to slightly over 39 percent the following year(ca.gov)".

This is excellent news and is likely partly attributed to the strict DUI laws that were passed on 2005 in the State of California.  Specifically, some of the changes now include restricted licenses for first time DUI offenders and the implementation of ignition interlock devices that report whether or not you have alcohol on your breath.  Another new device that can now be imposed by judges is the SCRAM device.   SCRAM is a GPS device and alcohol detector that DUI offenders must wear around their ankles that reports not only their location, but also their blood-alcohol content (BAC) level by measuring their sweat. Also, the BAC level was changed from .20% to .15%.  This stricter reading now determines how long a defendant has to take an alcohol awareness program.  If a DUI offender declines probation, they will receive a mandatory jail sentence of 96 hours.  There isn’t a mandatory sentence for those who accept probation, but a judge can still choose to send them to jail for anywhere from 48 hours to 6 months depending on the severity of the incident. 

In order to prevent the defendant from becoming a statistic a second time around, the court system has found alcohol education classes a successful tool for rehabilitation.  As part of the fine, community service and possible jail time, the court will order a class is taken for educational purposes.  Often the court will approve an online class so that the DUI offender does not need to miss more work or school.  These classes are ideal because they can be taken in the privacy of your own home, in a relaxed and quiet environment and at your own pace.  The client can log in and out at his convenience and the class will automatically pick up where previously left off. 

Look for high quality courses that are designed by a licensed and practicing therapist to ensure you will learn the most current and accurate information.   These classes will present the risks and effects of alcohol abuse on your body and life.  Skills and techniques will be introduced to help the individual overcome alcohol addiction, or to reinforce why one shouldn’t partake and then get in the car to drive.  The bottom line is that drinking or taking drugs and driving a car do not mix.  If you are caught for a DUI, it will completely uproot your life until your sentence is served.  Fulfilling your court mandate for alcohol and drug education classes online will help you to keep some assemblance of sanity during this overwhelming time.