California DUI laws are very clear and no matter what your sentence is, you’re going to get at least three years of probation once you’ve served your time. Probation gives you an opportunity to show that you’ve been reformed and that you’re ready to be a law-abiding citizen. But, there are some actions you can take that will land you right back in jail and make it necessary for you to hire a DUI lawyer in Tustin. Here are six of things that are a big no-no when on DUI probation in California.
Driving With Even the Tiniest Amount of Alcohol in Your System
Drivers who aren’t on DUI probation can have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of up to 0.08% and not be charged with a DUI. But, once you’ve been convicted of a DUI and are on probation, you can’t have any alcohol in your system at all if you’re behind the wheel. If a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test registers a BAC of even 0.01%, you’ll be in violation of the conditions of your probation and you’ll be arrested.
You Fail to Pay Restitution
If you caused an accident because you were driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance, you were probably ordered to pay the victim restitution. Restitution is a court-ordered payment that a perpetrator of a crime, such as causing a motor vehicle accident, must pay to their victim. The court will set up payments that you must make and the deadlines by which you must make them and if you are late or miss a deadline, you will be in violation of your probation.
You Fail to Enroll in a Court-Ordered Program
Almost all people with DUI convictions are required to enroll in a court-approved DUI education program as a condition of their probation. You must show proof that you’ve enrolled in such a program by a specific date. If you fail to show that you are indeed enrolled in a DUI program, you are in violation of your probation and will be ordered back to jail.
You Fail to Complete a Court-Ordered Program
Not only do you have to enroll in a court-approved DUI education program, but you also must complete the program. If you decide to quit going to classes halfway through the program or don’t stick around for the entire class, you won’t earn the certificate that you’ll need to submit to the court to prove you finished the program. You will be given a deadline that you have to submit the certificate of completion by and if you miss that deadline, you could end up back behind bars.
You Refuse a Breathalyzer, Blood, or Urine Test
As a condition of your probation, you have agreed to take a chemical test for alcohol in the event that you’re pulled over or arrested for suspicion of DUI. If you refuse to take a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, you will be arrested and returned to jail.
You Fail to Comply With Any Other Conditions of Your Probation
A judge can add any other conditions to your probation that are specific to your case. These might include installing an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, wearing a SCRAM bracelet, or other deterrents to continuing to drink and drive. If you do not comply with any conditions of your probation, you will have to appear before the court and tell the judge why. And your probation will probably be revoked.
Conclusion
Probation can seem pretty strict when you’re trying to resume your life after a DUI conviction. But if you aren’t diligent about compliance, you may have to wait even longer to get your life back.
