When you hear the word “enhancement”, it sound like a good thing. But when you are talking about enhancement as it relates to a DUI sentence, it means that the potential sentence may be enhanced, meaning additional penalties.
An enhancement adds additional penalties to a dui penalty due to some other factor associated with the dui incident. Here are some situations, which may cause an enhancement:
- If you refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test after you have been arrested, the District Attorney may add an enhancement, which could result in additional jail time or higher fees and fines.
- If your blood alcohol level is a 0.20 or higher, which is more than twice the legal limit, the District Attorney may, and probably will, include in their filing an enhancement for high “BAC”. Usually this means that the class you will ultimately be ordered to take will be longer than if your BAC was below 0.20. The results of the blood alcohol test, whether it be a breathalyzer or blood test, will play a role in the charges that will be brought, as well as the penalties.
- If you were speeding or driving reckless, the DA may include an enhancement for that. As a general rule, driving 20 miles over the speed limit on surface streets or 30 miles over the speed limit on a freeway can result in an enhancement.
- Having a minor in your car, under the age of 14, is an enhancement that may result in jail time being added to your sentence. This may also result in an additional charge of child endangerment.
- Prior DUI convictions within a 10 years can result in an enhanced sentence.
If you are facing a driving under the influence charge with enhancements in Orange County, an experienced DUI lawyer may be able to get the enhancements dropped. An aggressive DUI defense attorney, who is respected and has a good reputation among judges and prosecutors, will help you get the best possible outcome.