The Long-Lasting Consequences of Drunk Driving in California
Like all other states, California has taken a hard stance on drunk driving. It isn’t tolerated. If you’re caught behind the wheel after having just a little too much to drink, you’ll face steep consequences that will have a major impact on the overall quality of your life.
California’s Legal Limit
California has different legal limits for different types of drivers. For the average, adult driver in California, anything over a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08% is considered too high to legally drive. Drivers who haven’t reached their 21st birthday, anything over 0.05% is considered a DUI. Commercial drivers as well as drivers who are involved with a ride-share program aren’t allowed to get behind the wheel if their BAC is above 0.04%
If you are pulled over and the officer believes you’ve been drinking, they’ll likely administer a breath test that measures your BAC. If the BAC is considered close, but not quite at the legal limit, it’s likely you’ll still be arrested. The reason for this is because it can take a little time for the true BAC to be accurate. You’ll receive a second test at the jail. By this point, the BAC level will be accurate. If it’s above the legal limit, the officer will go through with the arrest. Both of the BAC tests are admissible in court. In many cases, the first test is a breath test and the second test is taken via a blood draw.
Penalties of Driving Drunk in California
California lawmakers aren’t playing around when it comes to drunk drivers. The penalties are steep and were designed to scare people into only getting behind the wheel while they’re sober. The penalties become more severe each time you’re charged with a DUI.
First Offense
The first time you’re caught driving while under the influence, the maximum amount of time you can spend in county jail is six months. You’ll also be charged fines that will range from $390-$1,000. Your license will be suspended and you won’t be able to drive for up to six months. Your ignition can be locked for 6 months to one full year, and you’ll only be allowed to drive on a restricted license during that time.
Second Offense
The second DUI charge means a minimum of 92 hours and a maximum of 1 full year in a county jail. The court can charge you fines that range from $390-$1,000. You can lose your license for a full two years, making it difficult to work, especially if you live in a rural area. After you get a restricted license, the court can limit your driving with an ignition lock that will remain on your vehicle for up to one year.
Third Offense
The third time you’re found guilty of DUI charges, you’ll be sentenced to as little as 120 days or as long as one year in jail. You’ll get charged at least $1,800 in fines. You’ll also lose your license for 3 years and potentially have an ignition lock installed on your vehicle for an additional 2 years.
California lawmakers have arranged things so that each DUI conviction remains on your record for a full 10 years.
In addition to actual DUI penalties, if you were in an accident while driving drunk, you will also face any charges that were incurred during the accident. This can include minor traffic offenses or vehicular manslaughter.
Medications Can Mess up Your Life
There are several medications that can play havoc on your body when you mix them with alcohol. The problem with many medications, even some over-the-counter allergy medications is that they alter the way your body absorbs alcohol. This means that if you go to the bar and have your normal amount of alcohol, and the amount that in most cases allows you to legally drive home, the medication could have created a significantly higher blood alcohol level and you’ll be arrested for DUI. Several people have had their lives destroyed because they didn’t realize how badly the medication and alcohol would react.
If you’re on medication, it’s in your best interest to not get behind the wheel if you have accidentally mixed the alcohol and the medication. Call a friend, get a room, hire a taxi. Do anything other than getting in your car.
The Reality of Prop. 25
The November third election is a big one for California voters. Not only do they have to decide which candidate they want in the Oval Office, they also must decide if they want to vote for or against, Proposal 25.
What is Proposal 25
The goal of Prop 25 is to end the current cash bail system. If it passes, California would be the first state to do away with this system. Instead of using a tried and true cash bail system, the state would create a system that would run a “risk-assessment” on suspects. Each suspect would be assigned a risk which would categorize them as:
- Low-risk
- Medium-risk
- High-risk
Low-risk suspects would be individuals that, based solely on a generic test, would be determined a low-risk for not appearing in court and who were deemed a minimal risk to society. They would be promptly released from jail.
On the other hand, someone who is considered high-risk might not show up for their court dates and they’re deemed a threat to society. These individuals would not be released. Eventually, high-risk individuals would get a few moments before a judge, at which point they’d be allowed to explain why the high-risk assessment is unfair.
Individuals who fall into the medium-risk category pose a problem. They might or might not appear in court. And they might, in the right circumstances, be a threat to society. It’s not entirely clear how the courts would be expected to deal with medium-risk individuals, other than some lawmakers stating that cases would depend on the local court’s rules.
Individuals who have been charged with misdemeanors would be exempt from the risk exceptions, though lawmakers are quick to point out that there will be exceptions.
The Problem with Prop 25
At first glance, Prop 25 doesn’t seem like a bad idea. It has the potential to provide individuals with limited income who have created minor offenses with the ability to get out of jail. That’s a good thing, right? Maybe not.
First, even low-income individuals do have the opportunity to be released from jail. If they don’t have the money needed to bail themselves out, they can contact local family-owned businesses like Absolute Bail Bonds where they can take advantage of flexible payment plans that include zero% interest, 20% discounts, and low-payments.
The biggest problem with Prop 25 is that it doesn’t appear that anyone has a good way to run the risk assessments. Fans of Prop 25 haven’t been able to provide much information about how the assessments will be run or how they’ll be evaluated.
The current system provides the court to look closely at each person’s criminal and community history. This information is used to determine how much money is needed to convince the person to stay out of trouble and attend all of their court appearances. The fact that bail can be revoked if the person does violate the terms of their release by engaging with certain people, leaving town, or committing a crime provides further incentive for everyone to walk the straight and narrow path while they wait for their case to reach its conclusion.
The biggest concern with Prop 25 is that while fans of the proposed law are convinced it will work, they’re unable to provide any detailed information about how the risk assessment will be conducted. When you read the bill, all it says is that the risk assessment will use “tools shall be demonstrated by scientific research to be accurate and reliable.”
That sounds a lot like the type of system internet dating sites use, and everyone who has used one of those sites knows that while love matches are possible, most of the connections are massive duds. Does anyone really want to have a bail system that has the same kind of success rate as the average internet dating service?
False Allegations of Child Abuse in California
Child abuse laws are designed to protect children from being hurt. They’re good laws that make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, they are also laws that can be used against people, particularly parents who are engaged in a child custody dispute. It’s not unheard of for one parent to accuse the other parent of child abuse in order to obtain full custody of the children. It’s an accusation that can deal a lasting blow to both sides.
While there have been instances of men lodging false child abuse claims against women, it’s far more common for a woman to falsely accuse a man of child abuse. Data collected by the Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) indicates that 85% of all child abuse protective orders are filed by men and issued against men. One lawyer estimates that approximately 90% of those that are filed during a divorce and that mention child abuse are a tactical move to gain custody of the children.
California’s family court judges are legally obligated to take all child abuse accusations seriously. The last thing anyone wants is for a child to be hurt because the court failed to act. As soon as one parent accuses the other of child abuse, the court will take action, usually siding with the parent who made the accusation. If you are the one accused of abusing children, you shouldn’t assume that you’re promptly out of luck. You do have to be willing to take a defensive stance.
It’s in your best interest to demand that the court investigate the accusations. Be prepared for this to involve an in-depth and invasive investigation into your background. Court-appointed experts will interview several people which can include:
- Your children
- Family
- Friendly
- Doctors
- Teachers
The process is time-consuming and often frustrating. When you feel impatient, remind yourself that you’re doing this for the good of your child.
The topic of false child abuse accusations in California is addressed in Family Code section 3027. According to the code, once it’s proven that the allegations filed against you were knowingly false, you have the right to seek monetary compensation for your court fees and additional costs that were connected to proving your innocence. The result of the investigation could lead to a significant change in which parent is granted custody of the children.
Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel in California
We’ve all done it. Gotten behind the wheel and driven when we were tired. Most of the time rolling down the window, cranking up the radio, and indulging in a massive amount of caffeine is enough to get us safely where we need to be. The problem is that some people don’t make it to their destination. Some people fall asleep while they’re behind the wheel and find themselves in serious legal trouble.
The Dangers of Falling Asleep While Driving
People constantly warn us about driving while intoxicated. We know it’s dangerous and know that it’s a serious traffic offense. People rarely discuss the fact that driving while fatigued is equally dangerous. In most cases driving is monotonous. It’s so easy to let your eyes close for a second. That’s all it takes for us to fall asleep and get into a bad accident.
If you’ve ever driven while drowsy you’re not alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 100,000 police-reported car accidents involved drowsy driving. It’s estimated that 72,000 of those accidents led to severe injuries and that 1,600 involved fatalities.
How California Handles Drowsy Driving Cases
Each time you get behind the wheel of your car, you’re entering into an unspoken, but legally binding contract with everyone that you’re fit for driving. Getting behind the wheel means that you plan on following all posted traffic laws, that you’ll stay alert, and that you’ll drive defensively. This means you won’t be distracted, you’re not intoxicated, and you’re not fatigued.
Failing to keep up your end of the agreement results in traffic tickets and possibly jail time.
If you’re caught driving while drowsy in California, at best, you’ll get a ticket for reckless driving. According to the state, you’re driving recklessly any time you, “drive any vehicle in a manner that exhibits willful or wanton disregard for the well-being of others on the roadway.” The state considers falling asleep and an example of willful or wanton disregard.
If you’re caught driving while drowsy, the best you can hope for is a traffic ticket that will cost you $145. That’s the best-case scenario. If you caused an accident, injured someone, created an intensely dangerous situation, or did a great deal of damage to someone else’s property, the consequences will be much more severe. The state has the option of sentencing you to 90 days in jail and charging you with a $1,000 fine.
Depending on your driving record, the driving while drowsy episode could result in you losing your license. If you injured or killed someone, you could face both manslaughter charges and a civil lawsuit.
The next time you think about driving while exhausted, you should reconsider and take a nap instead.
Are You Impacted by California’s Mandatory Reporting Law?
You just watched your neighbor commit a crime. You know what they did was illegal, but you aren’t sure what you should do about the situation. You don’t want to get anyone in trouble. On the other hand, you know you don’t like the idea of living next to someone who blatantly breaks the law.
Assuming that your neighbor didn’t do break a minor law, like jaywalking, it’s in your best legal interest to report the crime to the authorities. The reason for this is simple. If your neighbor gets caught and the police find out that you’ve been turning a blind eye to the situation, you could land in hot water. This is especially true if your neighbor is abusing a roommate/parent/friend, or if they are involved in a child endangerment/neglect situation.
Some people don’t realize that their chosen profession requires that they report any criminal activity that they have knowledge of. California created Mandatory Reporting laws that require specific professions to report criminal activity. Professionals who are bound to adhere to the Mandatory Reporting Laws include:
- School officials
- Anyone who works in law enforcement
- Social workers
- Members of the clergy
- Firefighters
- Therapists
If you are a member of any of these professions, you’re legally required to report instances of:
- Extreme verbal abuse
- Physical abuse/assault
- Sexual abuse
- Child neglect
- Child endangerment
Failing to obey the Mandatory Reporting Laws means could come at a steep price. If you’re found guilty, you could be sentenced to spending 6 months in a county jail and be charged a $1000 fine.
What if You Discourage Someone From Reporting a Crime
If someone you know has knowledge of an abuse or child endangerment crime, and you convince them to stay quiet, the law can come after you. If found guilty of willfully preventing someone from stepping up and reporting a crime to the proper authorities, you’re looking at a year in jail and a $5000 fine.
Mandatory Reporting Laws Require that You Think Before you Confide in Someone
If you have broken a law or think you know someone who has, you need to be aware that if you discuss the situation with someone who’s profession forces them to report the alleged crime, they will likely have to mention your name. The police will likely be very curious about why you failed to report the abuse right away. It will look better and not put your friends in an awkward position if you report the situation yourself.
If You Need Bail Help, You’ve Come to the Right Place
Were you recently surprised by the arrest of a close friend or family member? Are you trying to rescue him or her from jail? If so, you’ve come to the right place. For over 30 years, Absolute Bail Bonds has helped thousands of Californians bail their friends and family members out of jail. Let us help you too.
Here at Absolute Bail Bonds, we know how intimidating and confusing the bail process can be for the first time. This is why our bail agents do everything that they can to help guide you through this. Whenever you need help, whether it is one in the afternoon or four in the morning, you can count on our bail agents to be there for you.
Once you start talking with one of our bail agents, they begin working with you. Just tell our agents your loved one’s name, birthday, and county of arrest. With that information in hand, our bail agents will be able to locate your loved one in the county jail system and begin filling out the paperwork for the bail bond.
Our bail bonds only cost 10% of the bail they are for, and we provide each of our clients with personalized payment plans. These payments plans further reduce the upfront cost of the bail bond, and come with 0% interest. This means that you only have to pay for the bail bond itself, and don’t have to worry about paying extra just to make the bond more affordable.
Some of the other benefits that we provide include:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- No hidden fees
- No collateral with working signer
- Se habla Español
If you were recently caught off guard by the arrest of a loved one, don’t panic, Absolute Bail Bonds is here to help. We have been helping Californians face bail since 1987 and we can help you to. You will always have a bail agent to talk to and answer your questions. On top of that, you will be provided with a bail bond and payment plan that you can afford.
There is no reason to wait any longer. Call 1-800-793-2245 or click Chat With Us now!
How Do Bail Bonds Work?
Bail and bail bonds are two subjects that people may have heard of, but likely have very little understanding of since no one ever really expects to need bail. For instance, most people don’t know that bail and bail bonds are not the same things. They are two different, but related, ways to get someone out of jail.
Bail is what people are most familiar with. It is a set amount of money that someone needs to pay for a person to be released from jail. The exact amount of money varies from case to case. Meanwhile, a bail bond is what a person gets when they hire a bail agent to help them rescue a loved one from jail.
With a bail bond, a person signs a contract with their bail agent. By signing, they are agreeing to pay a percentage of the full bail amount to the agent in return for the bail agent posting their loved one’s bail. In this instance, instead of paying for the bail, you are paying for the bail agent’s services.
Here at Absolute Bail Bonds, we only ask for 10% of the full bail price. This means that our clients get a 90% discount on the cost of bailing their friends and family members out of jail. On top of just getting a discount, you get help professional bail agents. Our agents will always be there to answer your questions and guide you through rescuing a loved one from jail. Some of the other benefits that we provide for our clients include:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral with working signer
- Se habla Español
Bail bonds work because the bail agent can pay the full amount of the bail to the jail right away. Also, they only cost a person a fraction of the cost of paying for the whole bail themselves.
What are you waiting for? You can get your loved one out of jail today by calling 1-800-793-2245 or clicking Chat With Us now.
Are You Looking for Affordable Bail Options?
When you need to pay for something expensive, it is usually easier to do so with a payment plan. This is why Absolute Bail Bonds provides payment plans for all of our clients. This way, the cost of the bail bond is broken up and spread out over several months. By doing this, paying to get someone out of jail becomes much more affordable, but we do not stop there.
One of the biggest problems with bail, aside from the cost, is the suddenness of it. You never know when someone that you care about is going to get arrested. The only time you learn about the arrest is after it has occurred. This means that you can never really save up and prepare to post bail.
This is a problem that Absolute Bail Bonds has created a solution for. We are able to provide clients with approved credit a 0% down bail bond. If you qualify for this, we will bail out your loved one and you don’t have to make a payment for up to a month after. This gives you some extra time to save up money for the first payment.
We also provide clients who qualify with an additional 20% off the price of the bail bond. This means that instead of paying 10% of the full bail amount, you would only have to pay 8%. To qualify for this discount, one of the co-signers on the bail bond has to meet just one of the following requirements:
- Be a member of the military.
- Be a member of AARP.
- Be a union member.
- Be a homeowner.
- Have a private attorney.
As long as one of those requirements is met by one co-signer, you can qualify for the discount. Some of the other things we do for our clients include:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral with working signer
- Se habla Español
At Absolute Bail Bonds, we do everything that we can to help out our clients. This is why we provide bail bonds that only cost 10% of the full bail price, 0% down for clients with approved credit, and a 20% discount off the cost of the bail bond for those who qualify. If you need affordable bail help, look no further than Absolute Bail Bonds.
For a free consultation, just click Chat With Us or call 1-800-793-2245 now.
How Are Bail Prices Determined?
There is a whole lot to take in whenever someone deals with bail for the first time. The part that almost always surprises people is the cost. Bailing someone out of jail in California is not cheap. It typically costs several thousands of dollars. While getting a bail bond is cheaper, reducing the cost of bail by 90%, it can still be an expensive undertaking. This causes many people to wonder how bail prices are determined in the first place.
Despite the fact that bail agents are often the ones to inform people of the cost of bailing someone out of jail, they are not responsible for determining the cost. Bail agents are regulated by California law to charge 10% of the full bail price. This is why getting a bail bond is 90% cheaper than paying for the bail yourself.
Law enforcement officers may set bail prices, but they don’t have a lot of say in the matter. Every year, each county in the state creates what is known as a bail schedule. This is just a fancy name for a list of every possible crime and the recommended bail amount for each one. The officers just follow that list, which means they don’t come up with the bail amounts either.
Bail amounts are determined by judges. They are the ones who get together and create the bail schedules. They are also the only ones who can alter bail amounts after they have been assigned. This often happens after a person’s first court date where a judge gets to really look at the case in detail.
If you want to rescue someone from jail, the cheapest way to do so is through a bail bond, which can be acquired here at Absolute Bail Bonds. On top of just being affordable, we will walk you through the entire bail process and answer all of your questions. With our help, you won’t have to face this alone.
Some of the services that we provide for our clients include:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral with working signer
- Se habla Español
For a free consultation with a professional, just call 1-800-793-2245 or click Chat With Us now.
Who Can Bail Out Your Friend or Family Member?
For most people, there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to bail. They don’t know how much bail costs, how it works, when they can post bail, or even who can do that. Luckily, the answers are usually much simpler than people realize. Take for instance who can bail someone out of jail.
Most people would assume that only relatives can bail a person out of jail. However, those people would be wrong. Here in California, anyone can bail someone out of jail whether they are family, or just a really good friend. All you need in order to post someone’s bail is to know enough about him or her.
When you come to Absolute Bail Bonds for bail help, our bail agents will always be ready to assist you. All we need to get started is your friend or family member’s name, birthday, and county of arrest. With that information in hand, our agents will be able to locate your loved one in the county jail database.
Once your loved one has been located within the jail system, our agents can fill out the rest of the paperwork. From there, our agents will work with you to create a personalized payment plan that breaks up the cost of the bail bond. With that payment plan, you should be able to afford your loved one’s bail.
Some of the other services we provide to help out our clients include:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral with working signer
- Se habla Español
Being related to someone doesn’t matter when it comes to posting bail. All that does matter is that you care about a person. As long as you care enough to try, Absolute Bail Bonds will be by your side to help you post bail and rescue your friend or family member from jail. You can count on us to always be there when you need us most.