If you have a driver's license from a state other than California, and got a DUI in Orange County, California, while on business or while visiting.

The implications of a California DUI don't differ significantly for residents versus out of state visitors. The legal standard is the same for both: a DUI can be charged for driving while intoxicated and/or with an excessive BAC. And the court-imposed penalties are the same for a DUI conviction.

The differences arise with respect to drivers license issues. The California DMV lacks authority to suspend or revoke a license issued by another state. Therefore, an out of state driver with a California DUI cannot get his/her drivers license suspended directly by the DMV.

However, California and most states belong to the "Interstate Compact." This is an agreement among 45 of the states' DMVs to share information and honor each others' drivers license suspensions. This means that the California DMV will report nationally any action it takes against a foreign license. Most often, the sister state issuing the license will respond by imposing its own restriction, suspension or revocation. Only Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Michigan are not part of the Interstate Driver's License Compact. All remaining states have agreed to notify other states of a DUI / DWI conviction and/or action taken against a person's driving privilege.

We can fight both the DMV and protect your state's DMV from being notified, and handle the entire case in California, from start to finish, without the expense or inconvenience of you having to fly out for hearings.

If you would like to speak in person, or have questions, please call (877) 568-2977, or email us through the Contact the Firm page.