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Punishment For Serious DUI Cases In California

Driving Under Influence (DUI) is a crime in California. However, some types of DUI, such as those that cause serious bodily injuries or death to another person, are treated in California as more severe crimes. They also come with additional penalties.

There are nearly 200,000 DUI arrests each year in California. Many of these are first-time offenders, who are punished with license restriction, minor jail time, fines, alcohol counseling, drunk driver education classes, community service, or probation. The punishments are more severe if it is a second- or third-time offense.

Even more severe penalties, however, are levied if someone else other than the driver is injured in a car accident that is the result of drunk driving. This can be a passenger in the driver's car, a driver or passenger in another car, or even a cyclist or pedestrian.

These cases are almost always tried as Felony DUI with injury. The penalties, if the driver is shown to be responsible for the crash, range from 90 days in a county jail to potentially years in prison. The penalties go up in years for each additional party that is injured in the accident.

If a death results from a drunk driving accident, the most-severe penalties come into play. These cases are usually classified as vehicular manslaughter, which often carries significant time in a state prison as punishment. You definitely want to avoid conviction if these are the stakes.

If you or a loved one has been charged with multiple DUI offenses, a Felony DUI with injury, or a vehicular manslaughter relating to a drunk driving accident, it is very important that you call the Ventura criminal defense attorneys at Bamieh & Erickson today.

We have years of experience defending those facing serious criminal charges in California, helping our clients avoid costly convictions, minimizing their criminal exposure, and advising them on how to clean up their criminal record.

At Bamieh & Erickson, our Ventura criminal defense attorneys hold dear the principle that all citizens, no matter the charge, are innocent until proven guilty. Call us today at (805) 585-3638 to learn more about your legal rights in California serious DUI cases.

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