California is considering a new bill to strengthen existing penalties against drunk drivers. Assemblyman Jerry Hill has created a bill to allow judges the right to remove someone’s driving privilege for the rest of their life. This new bill gives judges the power to determine the severity of your charges based on years between convictions, rehabilitation efforts and the severity of your past charges. If this bill passes, who represents you in court can make the difference between being able to drive to work and taking the bus for the rest of your life.
Based on a NBC Los Angeles news article, Assemblyman Hill recently stated that over 310,000 California drivers have more than three DUI convictions. AB 1601 is meant to crack down on repeat offenders. These kinds of sweeping changes can sometimes lead to taking away the rights of individuals who have been falsely convicted of a crime. If a strict judge chooses to abide by the potential new law, even the most minor DUI charges can become life-altering. It is important that you fully understand the law and your rights no matter what the charges are against you. An experienced California drunk driving attorney can walk you through the process and help minimize your charges or even get your case thrown out.
As the law stands, you can be arrested for drunk driving even if you didn’t take a Breathalyzer test. If an officer believes you have been drinking, he or she can arrest you on the spot. Drunk driving is a serious offense with grave consequences in California. A DUI conviction can lead to jail time, hefty fines and can potentially jeopardize your career and future. If you have been charged with a DUI in California, call the DUI defense lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.