DUI Defender

Welcome to 2007, the Legislature, in it’s infinite wisdom has changed the laws effecting California drivers and most importantly, California Commercial drivers.

Increased License Suspensions

Effective January 1, 2007, upon conviction an individual who is found guilty, or pleads “no contest” to a DUI with either the high BAC (blood alcohol concentration) enhancement (.20 or above) or a refusal allegation (having refused to provide a sample of blood or breath in a dui alcohol case or blood or urine in a dui drug case) will have a 10 month suspension imposed on their driving privilege. This suspension is four months longer than it was through 2006. The statute does have a provision for an immediate restricted license provided certain documents and fees are paid to the DMV and the license is not suspended for any other reason.

Commercial Driver Changes

Any conviction for commercial vehicle violations must be reported to the driver’s home state. This places an additional burden upon the DMV in California to notify the commercial driver’s home state of vehicle code violation convictions in California.

A conviction for hit-and-run, in any type of vehicle (commercial or private car) will result in a one year suspension of the driver’s commercial driving privilege. (Similar to the suspension for a DUI conviction).

A second conviction for hit-and-run will result in a lifetime revocation of the commercial driving privilege.

Please be aware that all of these changes go into effect upon conviction, a conviction occurs when there is a finding of guilt or a “no contest” plea. You are innocent until proven guilty, or you admit the charges.

For additional information on these changes to the Vehicle Code (and others) please go to the DMV Website.

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