Special License Plates for Convicted DUI / DWI Drivers

A drunk driving charge in California will result in two separate cases being filed against the alleged drunk driver even though it involves only one incident. A driver faces a California DMV case and a California criminal case. Each case must be dealt with as soon as possible in order to avoid unnecessary negative repercussions. A qualified DUI / DWI lawyer can handle both aspects of the case. The Department of Motor Vehicles case relates mostly to the driver's license itself.

In the criminal case the judge will have the discretion to punish the offender in ways that can help society and the offender who was guilty of driving while driving under the influence. A lawyer experienced in defending drunk driving cases can often achieve results for clients that allow the client to improve his or her life following what can be a traumatizing event. Sometimes meeting with people who have been affected by drunk driving has proven to be both beneficial to the offender and to the victims.

In California, a person convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol will commonly face jail time, fines, and driver's license suspensions. These are not the only penalties or conditions of probation. Other methods are being employed across the states. These methods include ignition interlock devices and specially marked license plates. While the ignition interlock device is used in California, the special license plates are not.

The obvious reason for marked plates is for police officers and other drivers to be readily aware that there is a potential drunk driver on the road. While these license plates are not currently in use in California, legislators are always considering the option. California DUI / DWI attorneys keep themselves updated on legislative affairs in order to be prepared for any contingency.

The experiment with marked license plates has varied across the states. Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio offer marked license plates that indicate that driving the car is off limits to a particular family member. The purpose of this law is to avoid the impoundment of the vehicle. This avoids unnecessary punishment of the remainder of the family who are allowed to drive the car.

Oregon and Washington launched a now defunct program of tagging license plates with striped registration stickers to demark drivers who have records of driving while intoxicated. This law has expired. Rates of repeat offenders dropped, but the states obviously didn't find it to be particularly helpful in curbing DUI / DWI offenses.

California is yet to experiment with marked license plates of any sort. The legislature is always working on creative ways to stop people from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so marked license plates should not be ruled out as future possibility. The Kavinoky Law Firm is always up to date on developing laws concerning driving under the influence offenses and lawyers are readily available for a free evaluation.