Special Allegations

Special allegations in your Ventura County DUI case can increase the penalties that you face if you decide to plead guilty. There are two special allegations that the District Attorney’s Office can and will file in your Ventura County DUI case concerning higher Blood Alcohol Levels. There is one special allegation for an alcohol level above a .15%, and another for an alcohol level above a .20%. There can be significant consequences for each special allegation. In a Ventura County DUI with an alcohol level above a .15%, the D.A. will fight to remove your option to do work release and argue that you will have to do 48 hours jail. You will also have to go to the 9 month alcohol school, which costs about twice as much as the 3 month program. In a Ventura County DUI with an alcohol level above a .20%, in addition to the increased penalties associated with a .15% alcohol level, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle at a cost of about $800 per year. You may also be prohibited from drinking or possessing alcohol or even being in a place where alcohol is the chief item of sale. Additionally, the DMV will suspend your license for a period of 10 months.

As you can see, the higher alcohol levels make the already harsh Ventura County DUI penalties even tougher. We routinely get special allegations dismissed on Ventura County DUI cases, keeping our clients out of jail and out of the nine month alcohol school, saving our clients’ valuable time and money. If you are faced with a Ventura County DUI and your alcohol level might be above a .15%.