Aggressive DUI Defense Attorneys
San Francisco Bay Area & Northern California
DUI Alternative Punishment
The law gives judges a number of ways to punish people convicted of driving under the influence in the Bay Area. Although stiff fines and jail time are some of the standard terms in most counties, there are a number of other ways to satisfy custody time Our ultimate goal is to win your case and keep you out of jail. Some alternative forms of punishment include:
- California law explicitly states that time spent in alcohol treatment facilities can be substituted for time in jail. These "custodial" options can often include rehab facilities, halfway houses, psychotherapy offices, and sober living environments.
- House arrest is also an option in some Bay Area DUI cases. During house arrest an individual is electronically monitored to ensure that they do not leave the prescribed confinement area, but is otherwise free to go about daily life. Jail overcrowding makes this option particularly appealing to many judges as an alternative punishment for DUI in the Bay Area.
- Sheriff work programs can also satisfy a number of DUI punishments. Graffiti removal from public transportation or public property and litter removal from the sides and medians of the roads are often options for DUI cases. These programs can usually be done on weekends or your days off on a first DUI. Most courts automatically allow you to apply for a sheriff's work program instead of doing jail time.
- Ignition interlock devices: These machines attach to cars and trucks and require a driver to blow into a detector to determine their alcohol level before starting the car
- SCRAM: The Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) is another type of ignition interlock device that involves a device attached to the subject's ankle that measures their alcohol consumption.
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