Drunk Driving Penalties
Drunk driving penalties in San Francisco are set forth in California statutes and can be incredibly complex. The range of possible sentences is determined by the basic statute, with modifications for such things as:
- Having a child under 14 in the car
- Refusing to submit to chemical testing
- Speeding 20 mph over the limit
- Having a prior conviction within ten years
- Having a blood-alcohol reading over .15%
Within the range, the actual sentence in a drinking and driving case will be affected by:
- The facts of the case
- The reputation of the San Francisco DUI attorney
- The weaknesses in the case uncovered by the defense attorney
- Any policies of the local court and prosecutors
All of this is independent of the DMV drivers license suspension, which is determined separately and which can itself be very complicated.
The Driver's Guide To DUI
Everything you need to know about a drunk driving arrest and its consequences.
DUI Laws Defining Punishment for DUI
Administrative and criminal penalties in California for DUI.
California DUI Penalty Summary
Brief outline of criminal penalties in California for first and second DUI offenses.