California law now requires that anyone convicted of multiple DUIs within a 10-year period must have the device installed on his or her vehicle. They can also be ordered for a first-offense DUI / DWI driver. An experienced Riverside DUI / DWI attorney can advise whether or not an ignition interlock device is likely to be ordered in your case.

Ignition interlock devices are more likely to be ordered in first-offense Riverside DUI / DWI cases when the driver refused to submit to a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content (BAC). The device is also more likely to be ordered in a first-time California DUI / DWI case if the driver’s BAC was .15 percent or greater.

If the accused Riverside DUI / DWI offender’s driver’s license was suspended at the time of arrest because of a prior drunk driving conviction, he or she will also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed.

Your use of an ignition interlock device while your case is pending may actually help your Riverside DUI / DWI lawyer to negotiate a better plea bargain or help you to avoid jail. Voluntary use of an ignition interlock device shows the prosecutor and the court that you are unlikely to become a repeat offender.

Ignition interlock devices are based on a very simple principle – they prevent a vehicle from starting or running if the driver is unable to provide an alcohol-free breath sample. The driver receives special instructions on operating the device – it involves more than just blowing into a tube.

An ignition interlock device used in a Riverside DUI / DWI case requires periodic “rolling re-tests” while the vehicle is in motion. If the driver fails to successfully complete the rolling re-test, the machine will record a violation. Under California DUI / DWI law, it’s a crime to provide a breath sample for another driver to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device, or to disable the equipment.

Smart Start of California is the state’s leading provider of ignition interlock devices. If you need to install an ignition interlock device because of a Riverside DUI / DWI arrest or conviction, a suspended driver’s license, or any other reason, contact Smart Start of California. To learn more about ignition interlock devices, or to schedule an appointment, contact Smart Start headquarters toll-free at (800) 880-3394.

To find out more about effective defense strategies in California drunk driving cases, contact an experienced Riverside DUI / DWI lawyer from The Kavinoky Law Firm today for a free consultation.