Last Friday, the Garden Grove Police Department’s Neighborhood Traffic Unit conducted a DUI Checkpoint.
Over 700 vehicles were screened at the DUI Checkpoint.
The Checkpoint resulted in two DUI arrests and 13 citations were issued.
Penalties Faced by the Suspects
The drivers arrested during the Garden Grove Police Department DUI checkpoint on January 30, 2026, face severe legal, financial, and professional consequences. A first-time DUI charge in California carries an average total cost of $13,500 in fines and penalties.
Legal and Financial Penalties
Drivers convicted of a first-offense DUI typically face the following:
- Jail Time: Sentences can range from 96 hours to 6 months in county jail.
- Fines and Fees: Statutory fines range from $390 to $1,000, but “penalty assessments” and court costs often push the total financial burden between $1,500 and $2,000.
- License Suspension: A mandatory suspension of at least 4 to 6 months.
- Mandatory Education: Attendance in a DUI school for 3 to 9 months, depending on blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Installation of a breathalyzer in the vehicle for at least 6 months is often required to maintain driving privileges.
Impact on Work
A DUI arrest or conviction can immediately jeopardize a driver’s livelihood:
- Commuting Barriers: License suspension can make it impossible to reach work if public transit is unavailable.
- Commercial Drivers: Drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) face a mandatory one-year suspension for a first offense, even if the DUI occurred in a personal vehicle. A second offense results in a lifetime ban.
- Professional Licensing: Convictions must often be reported to professional boards, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of licenses for nurses, teachers, lawyers, and pilots.
- At-Will Termination: As an at-will state, California employers can terminate employees for a DUI arrest or conviction, particularly if the job involves driving or security clearance.
Impact on Insurance
Insurance consequences are long-lasting and financially draining:
- Rate Increases: In 2026, California drivers with a DUI conviction can expect an average insurance premium increase of 134% to 148%.
- SR-22 Requirement: Drivers must obtain an SR-22 certificate (proof of financial responsibility) to reinstate their license, which further classifies them as high-risk and increases costs.
- Loss of Discounts: Insurers are legally required to remove the “Good Driver” discount for 10 years following a DUI.
- Coverage Terminations: While insurers cannot cancel a policy mid-term, they may refuse to renew the policy once the term ends.