California DUI Laws
California DUI Defense
What you're facing, what the deadlines are, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to California (CA) law.
BAC Limit
0.08
Enhanced BAC
0.15
Higher penalties above this
Lookback Period
10 years
Prior offenses count within
10 days-Day DMV Hearing Deadline
In California, you have 10 days days from your arrest to request an administrative DMV hearing. Miss this deadline and your license suspension goes into effect automatically , even if the criminal case is later dismissed.
First Offense Penalties in California
Implied Consent & Test Refusal
Like all 50 states, California has an implied consent law, by driving on Californiaroads, you've already agreed to submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if an officer has probable cause to believe you're impaired.
Refusal Penalty
1-year license suspension (added to any DUI suspension)
California-Specific Detail
California's 10-day DMV hearing deadline is critical, miss it and you lose the right to challenge your administrative license suspension. Penalty assessments can quadruple the base fine.
Is your California DUI defense on track?
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Other California defense topics
Facing a different charge in California? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:
Important: This page provides general legal information about California DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a California-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.