Santa Rosa Multiple DUI Lawyer

Multiple DUI Attorney in Santa Rosa, CA

When you are charged with a DUI when you already have DUI convictions on your record, it can have much more substantial consequences. Judges are much less likely to be lenient with sentencing when you have prior convictions. It is crucial that you work with a Santa Rosa multiple DUI offenses lawyer to defend your future. You need the right attorney who has the experience and knows how to win these cases.

Dedicated Santa Rosa Multiple DUI Offenses Attorneys at the Law Office of Jonathan Steele

When you face repeated DUI offenses, you not only need legal support but also an ally who will fight alongside you. The attorneys at the Law Office of Jonathan Steele have deep ties to our community in Sonoma County, being fifth-generation residents. Our firm brings you smart defense strategies, thorough legal care, reasonable rates, and years of trial experience.

Our attorneys have 78 years of criminal defense experience collectively. We have substantial experience with the County of Sonoma Criminal Superior Court.

We understand how overwhelming these cases can be, and we want to offer the support you need. Our attorneys keep you informed of each step in your defense, ensuring you understand the options you have. We answer your questions and keep open communication with you. Our goal is to mitigate or eliminate the DUI charges you face.

The Importance of the Lookback Period for DUI Offenses

Subsequent DUI offenses look back at convictions in the past ten years. When you have multiple DUIs, only those in the past ten years will be counted towards your prior offenses. These are the convictions that will count towards increasing the severity of your penalties. The court looks not only at prior DUI convictions, but it also looks at prior DUI with injury convictions and reckless driving convictions.

In Sonoma County, there were 1,623 fatal and injury vehicle crashes in 2021. There were 48 fatal crashes, and 20 of those crashes involved alcohol or drugs.

Facing a Second DUI Charge in 10 Years in Santa Rosa

In California, a second DUI offense results in either of the following when probation is assigned:

1. Between 10 days and one year in county jail and fines between $390 and $1,000; or
2. Between 96 hours and one year in county jail, fines between $390 and $1,000, with the 96 hours able to be served in two 48-hour increments

A second DUI also results in:

• A two-year suspension of your driver’s license
• Completion of a drug or alcohol program lasting 18 or 30 months

In California, if the court does not assign probation, the penalties include:

• Between 90 days and one year in county jail
• Fines between $390 and $1,000
• A two-year suspension of your driver’s license

Like any DUI, the penalties can also increase if there are aggravating factors present.

Facing a Third DUI Charge in 10 Years in Santa Rosa

A third DUI offense will likely decrease the chances of getting probation. Many of the potential penalties for a third DUI are the same, regardless of whether you are granted probation or not. Probation penalties can include:

• 30 months of participation in a DUI course approved by the court
• 30 days to one year in county jail, if the typical sentence is set aside

Whether or not probation is granted, a third DUI offense can result in:

• From 120 days to one year in county jail
• Fines between $390 and $1,000
• Driver’s license revocation for three years

You can also be designated as a habitual traffic offender for three years.

Facing a Fourth or Subsequent DUI Charge in 10 Years in Santa Rosa

• 16 months, or two or three years in county jail, or between 180 days and one year in county jail
• Fines between $390 and $1,000
• License revocation for four years

This also results in a three-year designation of a habitual traffic offender.

Second DUI Offense With Injury Within 10 Years

A second DUI offense considers reckless driving and DUI injury convictions as prior offenses. If probation is granted for a second offense DUI with injury, the penalties include:

• Probation term
• A three-year revocation of your driver’s license

The other penalties for the offense are either:

1. A minimum of 120 days in county jail and fines between $390 and $5,000; or
2. A minimum of 30 days in county jail up to one year, fines between $390 and $1,000, and completion of an alcohol or drug program lasting 18 or 30 months.

If probation is not granted, penalties could include:

• A three-year revocation of your driver’s license
• Imprisonment in state prison, or 120 days to one year in county jail
• Fines between $390 and $5,000

Third or Subsequent Offense With Injury Within 10 Years

When you have multiple prior DUI offenses, probation is less likely. If probation is granted, the penalties may be:

• Three-to-five-year probation term
• A five-year revocation of your driver’s license

Penalties also include either:

1. One year in county jail and completion of an alcohol or drug program lasting 18 months; or,
2. A minimum of 30 days to one year in jail, fines between $390 and $5,000, completion of an alcohol or drug program lasting 30 months, and restitution paid to the victim of the offense

If probation is not granted, penalties may be:

• Two, three, or four years in state prison
• Fines between $1,015 and $5,000
• A five-year revocation of your driver’s license

Conviction of a third or subsequent offense may also have higher prison sentences if you already have four or more convictions, injured multiple other people, or caused great bodily injury to one other person.

What Are the Consequences of Having Multiple DUIs?

In addition to the significant criminal consequences when you are convicted of multiple DUIs, there are other consequences to consider. This includes:

• Being unable to drive or being imprisoned can cost you your job.
• As a habitual traffic offender, other traffic offenses can have more significant consequences.
• You can face increased insurance costs for years.
• A criminal record can harm your employment, housing, education, and loan opportunities.

Hire a Multiple DUI Offenses Lawyer in Santa Rosa You Can Trust

Multiple DUI offense cases should not be taken lightly. Protect your future and your freedom with the skilled team at the Law Office of Jonathan Steele. Our aggressive legal team fights for you while providing you with reassuring support during this difficult time. Reach out to our firm today and learn how we can help you.