At around 2:05 a.m. this morning, a vehicle was observed driving at a high rate of speed near S. Coast Highway and Broadway Street, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Moments after, the vehicle collided into a light pole and traffic pole near S. Coast Highway and Forest Avenue.
After an investigation was conducted, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
The driver came away from the collision with a minor injury.
Legal Penalties and Financial Impacts Faced by the Suspect
In California, a driver arrested for a DUI involving property damage—such as colliding with light and traffic poles—faces a combination of criminal, administrative, and financial penalties. Under California law, a first-offense DUI is typically a misdemeanor, but the presence of property damage can lead to additional restitution requirements and higher total costs.
Criminal and Administrative Penalties
A first-time misdemeanor DUI conviction in California carries several standard penalties, which can be further influenced by local Orange County practices:
- Fines and Fees: Base fines range from $390 to $1,000, but after mandatory penalty assessments and court fees, the total cost often rises to between $1,800 and $2,000. Some reports estimate the total average cost of a first-time DUI in Laguna Beach can reach approximately $13,500.
- Jail Time: While many first-time offenders avoid significant time, the law allows for up to 6 months in county jail. In Orange County, sentences typically range from 2 days to 6 months.
- Probation: Informal (summary) probation usually lasts for 3 years, though it can extend up to 5 years.
- License Suspension: The court may impose a 6-month suspension, while the DMV typically imposes a 4-month administrative suspension. If the driver refused chemical testing at the scene, this suspension increases to one year.
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): All DUI offenders are required to install an IID (a breathalyzer for the car) for at least 6 months to maintain driving privileges.
- DUI School: Mandatory enrollment in an alcohol and/or drug education program, typically lasting 3 to 9 months.
- Restitution: Because the driver damaged city property (light and traffic poles), they will be held liable for the restitution of all property damage.
Impacts on Employment and Career
A DUI conviction can have immediate and long-term effects on a driver’s professional life, particularly in an “at-will” employment state like California.
- Immediate Job Loss: California’s at-will doctrine allows employers to fire workers for almost any lawful reason, including a DUI arrest or conviction. Employers with strict codes of conduct or zero-tolerance policies regarding criminal records may terminate the employee immediately.
- Driving-Dependent Roles: If the job requires driving a company vehicle or frequent travel, a license suspension or high insurance risk may make the employee unemployable. For commercial drivers (CDL holders), even a first-time DUI in a personal vehicle results in a one-year license suspension.
- Professional Licensing: Professionals like doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, and pilots must often report convictions to their respective governing boards. This can lead to license probation, suspension, or revocation.
- Background Checks: A DUI conviction appears on criminal background checks indefinitely in California. While “Ban the Box” laws prevent employers from asking about criminal history on initial applications, they can review convictions after a conditional job offer is made.
- Missed Work: Mandatory court dates, DUI classes, and potential jail time or community service can interfere with work schedules, potentially leading to further disciplinary action.