Like most large cities in the United States, San Francisco sees plenty of drunk driving arrests every single day. DUI is a very serious crime in California. If you have been arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, you should certainly consider hiring a well seasoned attorney to represent you in court.

California approaches its drunk driving laws a bit differently than other states. When a person is arrested for a DUI in San Francisco, this fact actually initiates two cases instead of just one. One is a case that is tried in criminal court. The second is a case that deals with the department of motor vehicles and determines whether or not a person’s license is suspended.

In fact, a third court case that may even be initiated. If a person has a professional license, such as a teacher’s or pilot’s license, that license could be revoked as the result of this third court case.

Penalties can be even more serious for non-citizens that are arrested on DUI charges. There is certainly the risk of deportation. After such a deportation, a person is unlikely to be readmitted into the country or continue an H1B work visa program. The possibility of ever attaining full citizenship will also likely be lost.

However, for most people, the criminal penalties associated with a DUI conviction in San Francisco will be what they are most worried about. From the moment a person is pulled over on the suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the police officer involved will begin gathering evidence that could be used to convict that driver in court.

This could include everything from the driver’s appearance to how well he or she fares when field sobriety or breathalyzer tests are administered. All of this information will be recorded and handed in as a police report.

First time offenders convicted of a DUI are not likely to see as severe punishments as multiple time offenders. However, a first time offender could still see from four days to six months in jail. The driver will also likely be fined for $1,000 to $1,600 and receive a driver’s license suspension that could last up to six months.

For multiple time offenders, the penalties can be much more severe. For example, for a third DUI conviction in California, the driver may be sentenced up to one year in jail and be fined up to $2,000.

Due to the risks involved, hiring good representation in court is always a good idea. An experienced DUI attorney should know how to get the best outcome possible for his or her client. This could include a plea deal for a much reduced sentence or even being acquitted in court depending on the circumstances of the case.