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The first time a defendant is charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in California, the crime is a misdemeanor. There may be aggravating circumstances (if there was an accident involving injury, for example), and jail time is a possibility, but typically the defendant will receive a fine, a license suspension, and probation. The punishments for DUI get progressively more severe, however, if the defendant has a prior DUI on their record. For a second or third DUI, incarceration becomes much more likely. However, with the help of a dedicated and skilled CALIFORNIA DEFENSE LAWYER jail time may not be inevitable.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), or driving under the influence (DUI) are all ways to describe the same thing: intoxicated driving. Intoxication may be the result of alcohol or another chemical substance (e.g., marijuana) or both. To be a crimina...