The CHP’s Westminster branch will conduct a DUI and CDL Checkpoint on Dec. 15

The California Highway Patrol, Westminster Area, will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver license checkpoint on Monday, December 15, 2025, somewhere within an unincorporated area of Orange County.

The CHP Westminster Area office is responsible for patrolling and conducting checkpoints throughout its jurisdiction, which includes unincorporated areas of Orange County such as Rossmoor and Midway City.

While specific past checkpoint locations in those exact areas are rarely disclosed publicly ahead of time, checkpoint sites are usually chosen based on locations with high DUI incidents or accident history. Within the Westminster CHP Area, likely past locations include unincorporated roads in Rossmoor and Midway City.

The CHP’s goal is to ensure the safe passage of each and every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated drivers.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Safety Administration.

Here are the penalties suspects may face after being stopped at a DUI checkpoint in California:

• Administrative (DMV) penalties
  • Automatic license suspension:
    • 4 months for a first DUI with BAC ≥ 0.08%
    • 1 year for a second (or subsequent) DUI within 10 years
  • Must request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the checkpoint stop to contest suspension
• Criminal Court penaltiesFirst Offense (Misdemeanor):
  • Probation, typically 3–5 years
• • Fines of $390–$1,000, plus penalty assessments (total often $1,500–$2,000+), DUI education program (3–9 months; usually 3), Driver’s license suspension: 6 months, often with possible restricted or ignition interlock device (IID) license
• • Possible jail time: up to 6 months (often short or converted to alternative sentencing)
• • IID installation for six months may be required
  Second Offense (within 10 years):
  • Jail time: Mandatory minimum of 96 hours up to 1 year
  • Fines: $390–$1,000 plus assessments (total near $2,000 or more)
  • Probation: 3–5 years
  • DUI school: 18–30 months (SB38 program)
  • License suspension: 2 years; can reduce if IID installed—but IID is mandatory for 1 year
  • Additional court-mandated conditions may include AA/NA meetings, MADD Victim Impact Panel, and restitution
• Aggravating factors such as a high BAC (≥ 0.15%), causing injury, or minor passengers can lead to enhanced or felony DUI charges, resulting in larger fines, longer jail time, longer suspensions, and extended IID requirements

These penalties reflect both the administrative and criminal consequences that suspects at the CHP checkpoint may face if arrested and convicted.