On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Santa Ana Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the City of Santa Ana.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Commander Joe Marty said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
The Santa Ana Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. 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, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you’re caught driving under the influence (DUI) at the Santa Ana checkpoint on Friday, August 15, 2025, here’s what you could face as a first-time offender under California’s updated 2025 DUI laws:
Penalties for First-Time DUI Offense
- Jail Time: 48 hours to 6 months in county jail
- Fines: Base fines range from $390 to $1,000, but with penalty assessments, the total cost can reach $13,500 or more
- License Suspension: 6 months, though a restricted license may be available with the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
- DUI School: Mandatory attendance in a DUI education program lasting 3 to 9 months
- Probation: 3 to 5 years of informal probation
- MADD Victim Impact Panel: Attendance is often required
Additional 2025 Updates
- IID Requirement: If your BAC is 0.15% or higher, you must install an IID for at least 6 months, even as a first-time offender
- Drugged Driving: If you’re under the influence of marijuana, prescription meds, or other drugs, penalties are the same as alcohol-related DUIs. Enhanced penalties apply if both alcohol and drugs are detected
- Minor in Vehicle: If a minor under 14 is in the car, you’ll face a mandatory 48-hour jail sentence on top of standard penalties
Checkpoint Enforcement
Santa Ana Police will use trained officers to detect impairment from alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs. Refusing a chemical test can lead to automatic license suspension and additional penalties.