First Time DUI and Ignition Interlock Devices
Despite the enactment of a new legislation in July 2010, many people are still unaware that a first time DUI conviction (in the counties of Los Angeles, Tulare, Alameda & Sacramento) will now require the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on all their registered vehicles. That is, upon a court conviction for DUI, DMV will require the installation of an IID for an initial five (5) month period for a first offense. This so called “pilot program” applies to the four counties above and is effective until 2015, when it is scheduled to be reevaluated.
It use to be that IID’s were mandated and often necessary for habitual offenders—those that had three and four prior convictions. Studies have showed that requiring first time offenders to install such devices (often when they were only slightly above the legal limit to begin with) was not only a waste of resources and money, but lacked any deterrence. Since every year sees more and more legislation regarding DUI (often ineffective and lacking any common sense), Los Angeles county residents and those from the other pilot counties can expect further penalties and consequence from a DUI conviction.
DUI is one of the more technical criminal violations. It involves many legal and forensic issues relating to driving, blood alcohol content and chemical testing. Contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer today for a case evaluation and discussion.