October 19, 2009

California DUI School

A court-ordered alcohol/drug education program (otherwise known as California DUI school) is a mandatory condition of a DUI probation sentence.

Depending on whether it is your first, second, or subsequent DUI conviction…or even your first or second California wet reckless conviction…the judge will sentence you to between 12 hours and 30 months of DUI school.

The length of the programs, the curriculum of the programs, and the fees of the programs are all drastically different. However, all DUI programs do share several common characteristics.
First, you must enroll in a California DUI school within 21 days of your DUI sentence.

Second, you must provide proof of enrollment and completion by the dates that the judge orders you to do so. Failure to abide by these terms could result in a California bench warrant and/or a DUI probation violation.

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August 27, 2009

Zero Tolerance Law in DUI Probation

Most people convicted of a California DUI get probation. This usually lasts from three to five years, and includes certain "terms and conditions." Violating the terms and conditions subjects the person to a probation violation, and possible jail time.

One standard term of probation in California DUI cases is that the person "not operate a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system." This means if the person gets stopped and blows even a .01 BAC, he is in violation of his probation. In other words, he cannot drink and drive, period.

In reality, most people on California DUI probation violate this term. Most are at least social drinkers, and they continue to drink and drive, but are just much more careful. But by doing so, they take a considerable risk. A probation violation can subject them to six months or more of jail time.

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