Possible 10 Year License Revocation for 3rd or more DUI

New Law effective January 1, 2012

Upon any 3rd or more California DUI conviction, a 10 year driver’s license suspension/revocation could be ordered. San Diego drunk driving criminal defense lawyers must do everything they can to try avoid such a harsh penalty.

First, the San Diego DUI court shall take into account each of the following:

A) Driver’s level of remorse;
B) Age of prior California DUI convictions;
C) Driver’s BAC (blood alcohol concentration) for last DUI conviction;
D) Alcohol treatment program enrollment & participation;
E) Any potential risk to public & traffic safety posed by driver; and
F) One’s ability to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on vehicles she or he owns/operates.

San Diego DUI defense attorneys should request a hearing with findings on the above issues, when any such threatened 10 year revocation action arises.

After five years from the date of the last drunk driving conviction, repeat San Diego California DUI probationers who have their license revoked for ten years can apply to have their driving privileges reinstated IF the driver installs an IID (ignition interlock device) on any vehicles she or he owns or operates.  The IID is required for two years after driving privileges are reinstated.

Visit San Diego California DUI DMV license revocation for multiple offender conviction information.  Or view the statute in its entirety:

Vehicle Code section 23597. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 13202.5, 13203, and 13352, a court may order a 10-year revocation of the driver’s license of a person who has been convicted of three or more separate violations of Section 23152 or 23153, the last of which is punishable under Section 23546, 23550, 23550.5, or 23566. When making this order, the court shall consider all of the following: (1) The person’s level of remorse for the acts. (2) The period of time that has elapsed since the person’s previous convictions. (3) The person’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the violation. (4) The person’s participation in an alcohol treatment program. (5) The person’s risk to traffic or public safety. (6) The person’s ability to install a certified ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle that he or she owns or operates. (b) Upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of the court showing the court has ordered a 10-year revocation of a driver’ s license pursuant to this section, the department shall revoke the person’s driver’s license for 10 years, except as provided in subdivision (c). (c) (1) Five years from the date of the last conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, a person whose license was revoked pursuant to subdivision (a) may apply to the department to have his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle reinstated, subject to the condition that the person submits the “Verification of Installation” form described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 13386 and agrees to maintain the ignition interlock device as required under subdivision (g) of Section 23575. Notwithstanding Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 23700) or subdivision (f) of Section 23575, the ignition interlock device shall remain on the person’s motor vehicle for two years following the reinstatement of the person’s driving privilege pursuant to this section. (2) The department shall reinstate the person’s license pursuant to paragraph (1), if the person satisfies all of the following conditions: (A) The person was not convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related offenses, under state law, during the driver’s license revocation period. (B) The person successfully completed a driving-under-the-influence program, licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, following the date of the last conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153. (C) The person was not convicted of violating Section 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5 during the driver’s license revocation period. (3) The department shall immediately terminate the restriction issued pursuant to this section and shall immediately revoke the privilege to operate a motor vehicle of a person who attempts to remove, bypass, or tamper with the device, who has the device removed prior to the termination date of the restriction, or who fails three or more times to comply with any requirement for the maintenance or calibration of the ignition interlock device. The privilege shall remain revoked for the remaining period of the original revocation and until all reinstatement requirements are met. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2012.