(January 15, 2026) On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Santa Ana Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint.
The checkpoint will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the City of Santa Ana.
Frequently Targeted Areas for SAPD DUI Checkpoints
- Southeast Policing District: Most recently, in early January 2026, SAPD conducted saturation patrols specifically within this district to target impaired driving.
- Major Thoroughfares: Locations that have been used for checkpoints in previous operations include:
- 1st Street: Specifically east between Sullivan Street and Raitt Street.
- McFadden Avenue: Areas near the 1500 block of E. McFadden.
- 5th Street: Historically near the 2400 block of W. 5th Street.
- Raitt Street & Alton Avenue: Intersections in south Santa Ana have been reported as active checkpoint sites.
- High-Incident Corridors: Police frequently monitor streets with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic that have seen recent fatal collisions, such as the 600 block of N. Grand Avenue.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data identifying areas with a history of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI checkpoint is to promote public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the roadway.
The Santa Ana Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol consumption. Certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may impair a person’s ability to drive safely. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, in addition to a suspended driver’s license. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Penalties for DUI Arrests
Drivers apprehended at the Santa Ana Police Department’s DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on January 17, 2026, face severe legal, financial, and professional consequences.
Legal and Financial Penalties
For a first-time DUI offense in 2026, the estimated average cost is $13,500 in total fines and penalties. Specific penalties for a standard misdemeanor conviction typically include:
- Jail Time: Up to six months in county jail.
- Fines: Base fines between $390 and $1,000, which often increase to $1,500–$2,600 after court assessments and fees.
- License Suspension: A standard 6-month suspension, though drivers may immediately regain driving privileges by installing an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for six months.
- Education: Mandatory attendance in a DUI education program (AB541) lasting 3 to 9 months.
- Probation: 3 to 5 years of informal (summary) probation.
Drivers caught without a valid license face separate penalties:
- Infraction: Up to $250 fine if the license is valid but not in possession.
- Misdemeanor: Up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
- Vehicle Impound: The vehicle may be impounded for up to 30 days.
Impact on Employment
A DUI conviction in 2026 can be career-ending or significantly hinder job prospects:
- Automatic Termination: Employers with zero-tolerance policies or those whose insurance will no longer cover the employee may terminate them immediately.
- Commercial Drivers (CDL): A first DUI leads to a one-year CDL suspension, even if the offense occurred in a personal vehicle. A second offense results in a lifetime ban from commercial driving.
- Professional Licensing: Healthcare workers, teachers, lawyers, and pilots must often report convictions to their respective boards, which may result in license suspension or revocation.
- Background Checks: A DUI conviction remains on a criminal record indefinitely in California (though it may be eligible for expungement) and stays on a DMV record for 10 years.
Impact on Insurance
A DUI conviction triggers a classification as a “high-risk” driver:
- Rate Increases: California drivers can expect auto insurance premiums to increase by an average of 127% to 148%. Some may see their rates triple.
- SR-22 Requirement: Drivers must obtain an SR-22 certificate (proof of financial responsibility) to reinstate their license, which further increases costs.
- Loss of Discounts: Insurance companies are legally required to remove “good driver” discounts for at least 10 years following a DUI.
- Duration: While a DUI stays on the DMV record for 10 years, it typically affects insurance rates for 3 to 7 years.
Penalties for a DUI involving Marijuana
In California, driving while impaired by marijuana is prosecuted under Vehicle Code 23152(f). The penalties for a marijuana-based DUI (DUID) are nearly identical to those for an alcohol-related DUI.
Legal and Financial Penalties
- Conviction Standard: There is no “legal limit” for THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana) like the 0.08% for alcohol. Prosecutors must prove you were “under the influence” to the point that you could no longer drive with the same caution as a sober person.
- Fines and Costs: A first offense in 2026 carries base fines between $390 and $1,000, but with required penalty assessments and fees, the total often averages $13,500.
- Jail Time: You may face up to six months in county jail.
- License Suspension: A standard 6-month suspension of your driver’s license.
- DUI School: Mandatory completion of a 3-to-9-month drug and alcohol education program.
Testing and Refusal
- Required Testing: If an officer at the Santa Ana checkpoint suspects marijuana impairment, they may require a blood test.
- Implied Consent: Under California’s “implied consent” law, refusing a post-arrest chemical test leads to an automatic one-year license suspension, regardless of whether you are eventually found guilty.
Professional and Employment Impact
- Job Loss: Many employers, particularly those with company vehicles or sensitive roles, have zero-tolerance policies and may terminate employees immediately upon a DUI conviction.
- Commercial Drivers: A first DUI conviction results in a one-year suspension of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), even if the offense occurred in a private vehicle.
- Professional Licenses: Boards for healthcare workers, teachers, and lawyers may take disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation.
Insurance Consequences
- Classification: You will be classified as a “high-risk” driver, which stays on your insurance record for 3 to 7 years.
- Rate Hikes: Expect substantial premium increases, often doubling or tripling your previous rates.
- SR-22 Requirement: To regain your driving privileges, you must file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with the DMV, which is an additional cost.