Probation

In addition to the Ventura County DUI penalties listed above, you will be placed on 3 years of summary probation with a conviction for a first time Ventura County DUI. The terms of probation on a first time DUI include paying all of the fines and fees, doing the jail time or work release, and completing alcohol school. Once you are signed up for probation, you do not have to physically go to meet with a probation officer unless you violate. The probation department essentially contacts you via mail, and you return the forms that they send to you. As long as you fulfill all of the terms of your DUI probation, and do not get arrested for any other offenses, you should not have any contact with probation beyond what they send you in the mail.
Many people facing Ventura County DUI cases are concerned that being on probation will prevent them from traveling out of the county, state, and country. In our experience, the Ventura County Probation Department routinely permits people on Ventura County DUI probation to travel. However, it is also recommended that you check with your probation officer before leaving the county.
The one additional element of Ventura County DUI probation that you must be aware of is that you are prohibited from driving with any alcohol at all in your system while you are on probation. This zero tolerance provision of Ventura County DUI has now been supported by the California DMV, which as of January 1, 2009 will take your license away for one year if you drive with any alcohol in your system while on probation for DUI.
On second and third time Ventura County DUI convictions, the probation period is for 5 years. In addition to all of the above requirements listed for a first time DUI, you also must install an ignition interlock device on any car your own, at a cost of about $800 per car. Furthermore, you will have alcohol terms, which prohibits you from possessing or drinking alcohol or being in any place where alcohol is the chief item of sale, such as a bar. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Ventura County and are concerned about probation, please click here to contact an experienced Ventura County DUI defense attorney or call (805) 477-0070 to set up your free initial consultation.