New California DUI Laws Go Into Effect Today That Change The Way A Los Angeles DUI, Burbank DUI, Long Beach DUI or Beverly Hills DUI are now Treated

Effective today, the new DUI laws are going into effect that are going to change those charged and convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles County are treated. Under a new law, a few counties, including Los Angeles, will have substantial changes that could significantly effect those convicted.

In California, a person charged with a first time DUI in Los Angeles will face the usual punishments that most people have come to expect. Those include a mandatory jail sentence of anywhere between 96 hours to 6 months in county jail. In addition, a person will have their license suspended by the DMV for a maximum of 6 months. The court will also levy huge fines that range anywhere from $390 – $1000, plus penalty assessments that triple that fine. The punishment does not stop at this point. The person will also have to complete a California driving under the influence program that lasts 3 months. Those used to be the full list of possible punishments. However, anyone now convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles beginning January 1, 2010, will also have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) to any car that they drive. This device requires a person to blow into a machine prior to starting their car to insure that the driver does not have any alcohol in their system.

This new punishment for a Los Angeles DUI may have serious unintended consequences. For many people, the IID could cause them to loose their jobs. For example, if a person works in sales and drives clients around to various locations, each time they get into the car they must blow into the device to start the car. Most employers will not tolerate this and will terminate that employee.

For that reason people will need to fight their Los Angeles DUIs like never before. The use of a former prosecutor who knows the judges and prosecutors may be paramount to protecting your interests.

These are just some of the people who could loose their jobs as a result of having to install an interlock device (IID) in the vehicles:

Taxi Drivers
Bus Drivers
Sales Professionals
Long Haul Drivers

and anyone else having to drive for work

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles or you are under investigation for driving under the influence in Southern California, please contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for 24/7 assistance by phone at (323) 464-6453 or toll free at (888) 334-6344 or online.