Punishment in Santa Barbara

Most people are surprised to learn that in reality there is a wide range of actual DUI sentences in Santa Barbara County, even among the terms that are made "mandatory" by statute. A skilled DUI lawyer can reduce a motorist's actual punishment in several ways.

The "typical" first-time DUI plea in Santa Barbara results in a three-year probation, fines of $1620, a 90-day restricted driver's license and a 30-hour First Offender DUI Program.

In general any Santa Barbara DUI sentence will be increased by prosecutor discretion for a driver under 21, and by statute for a refusal to take the chemical test, a BAC over .20, any prior offenses within seven years, passengers younger than 14 or speeding.

View our complete DUI Sentencing Chart for

1. First Offenses
2. Second Offenses
3. Third Offenses
4. Fourth Offenses