DUI In California

Reader’s Question:

I’m worried about my auto insurance after my DUI conviction here in Alameda, California. What do I need to know about my auto insurance or what do I have to do now after my DUI conviction?

Adrian

Alameda, CA

You may be like most individuals who simply could not afford not to be driving even after a drunk driving or DUI conviction. Most of us need to maintain their transportation options for us to make a living. We all commit mistakes but the law makes sure that you would certainly pay for the privilege to get back out on the highways. Although there are a lot of auto insurance providers that would offer you coverage after your DUI conviction in Alameda, California, it would be important to do your research.

You would be ordered to get an SR22 proof of insurance for you to reinstate your driver’s license. The auto insurance provider you choose would file an SR22 form on your behalf to release the suspension order placed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on your license. The auto insurance provider could tell you the steps that need to be taken to make sure that you’ll have the SR22 promptly. You can check what is on your driving record because the auto insurance provider would confirm the information you would give them so make sure that it is accurate.

Reader’s Question:

I got two DUI conviction this year and last year. What will happen if I get pulled over by a law enforcement officer and I have no proof that I am driving for work in Alameda?? I live in Alameda CA.

Richard

Alameda, CA

In California a restricted license granter after a 2nd DUI conviction has guidelines that you need to abide. The California law states that the restriction of the driving privilege shall be limited to the hours needed for

• driving to and from the place of employment,
• driving during the course of employment, and
• driving to and from activities required in the driving-under-the-influence program.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that they may suspend or revoke the drivers license,once they receive satisfactory proof of any conviction of the restrictions of a driver’s license .

Therefore if you get caught driving outside your restrictions your driving privileges may be taken away again. The CA DMV should be able to give you information if there will be additional fines and penalties given to you by the judge or courts if you are stopped in Alameda and cannot prove you are driving within your restrictions.

Reader’s Question:

I know some people who have been arrested for DUI here in Alameda, California and some of them claim that they are innocent. How would a police officer claim that a driver is under the influence?

Hope

Alameda, CA

In a DUI investigation in Alameda, California, the police officer usually claims that the DUI suspect “performed poorly” or “failed” the field sobriety tests and the handheld breath test indicates that the driver’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit. Based on this, the officer would “form an opinion” that the driver is under the influence or the driver’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely is impaired. After this, the officer would arrest the driver and take him/her to the police station (or hospital) for a chemical test.

The driver suspected for DUI would choose between a breath test and a blood test. The state of California has an “Implied Consent Law” that says that a person who is arrested lawfully for DUI should submit to one of these tests. A refusal could subject the DUI suspect to stiffer court penalties and possibly a one-year (or longer) driver’s license suspension. If the driver chooses a blood test, the blood sample would be forwarded to a crime lab for analysis. If he/she chooses a breath test, the officer would see the blood alcohol content reading immediately after the driver blows twice into the breath test machine. The officer sometimes tells the DUI suspect of the result, sometimes not.