Orange County DUI Lawyer Blog
An Ignition Interlock Device, or IID, is an option/sentence alternative, for people who have been convicted of driving under the influence. The IID is a small device, similar to a Breathalyzer that attaches to the steering column of a car. The purpose of the device is to measure whether or not a person has been drinking alcohol before they begin driving. Once installed, the person driving the car must provide an alcohol-free breath sample or the car will not start. In order to avoid someone else providing the alcohol-free sample, once a person begins to drive, the device will require that intermittent breath samples be provided. Once the device has requested a sample, the driver has 6 minutes to provide the sample. If no sample is provided, it is recorded as a “fail” and the information is sent to the Court. The IID’s are designed to ensure that only the person required is providing the breath sample. The device requires a specific breath pattern while a breath sample is being provided and has a very short cord attached to it. This is to avoid someone else providing the sample while the individual is driving. The device also records all starts and stops, any tampering with or attempts to disconnect and all results.
The IID can be a very useful tool in negotiating a plea. Especially for someone who has a full-time job and is financially responsible for their family. For some, jail time means the loss of a job and great hardship on their family.
There are sentencing alternatives available for convictions of a DUI and for this reason, anyone who has been arrested and is being charged with driving under the influence should consult an experienced DUI Defense Attorney.
If you would like to know more about arrests for DUI or Ignition Interlock Devices contact Orange County DUI Defense Attorney William Weinberg at his Irvine, CA office at 949-474-8008