California already has some of the toughest DUI laws in the U.S., and they are set to get tougher.

A new bill sponsored by Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, has been signed into law providing a tough new penalty for 3rd time DUI offenses in California, effective from January 1, 2012. [more]

A straightforward summary of the penalties you can expect to receive for a first DUI offense in California.

These penalties are the minimum you can expect and relate to a straightforward DUI offense by a private driver aged over 21, with no aggravating factors. [more]

Fines are one the better known penalties for a DUI conviction in California but it is important to be aware of the real amount that you will have to pay.

Most information on California DUI penalties focuses on “base fines” but as you can read in this article, fines are subject to hefty taxes and surcharges that make the total amount payable much higher that most imagine. [more]