Tips for Out of State Drivers Receiving a California DUI
Many tourists visit California each year from other states. Some percentage of these tourists inevitably end up receiving a DUI while visiting California. Many think that because they aren’t residents of California, nothing will happen to them as an out of state driver receiving a California DUI.
The procedures surrounding a California DUI are the same for both residents and non-residents of California, except that the California DMV does not have the right to take driver’s licenses issued by another state. Following a DUI arrest, the DMV will hold a hearing, just as it is done for a resident. The non-resident is not required to attend the hearing but can have a California attorney attend in his or her place.
Following the hearing, the DMV may suspend the individual’s driving privileges in California. California will then notify the individual’s state of residence of the California DUI, and that state may take action against the individual’s license. Non-residents of California may be required to fulfill all the requirements to get their California driving privileges restored, even if they never intend to drive in California again. This is because the non-resident may be required to meet those requirements under the law of his or her state to get driving privileges restored. In addition, a DUI in many states will count as a prior offense for the purposes of determining punishment for a California DUI.
Out of state drivers are also required to participate in any criminal proceedings, or to hire a California drunk driving attorney to attend on their behalf.
Are you an out of state driver who was charged with a California DUI? Hire an experiencedCalifornia driving under the influence attorney to help with your case. A DUI in California can result in both criminal punishments in California as well as a possible loss of driving privileges in your home state. Call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at (310) 277-1707 for a free consultation.
