5. Will I go to jail?
In Sonoma County, in a "standard" first DUI case under 0.15% blood alcohol where there are no other charges or allegations, and no viable legal defenses or other compelling facts, most defendants can anticipate two days of jail, and three years informal probation. Many under-21 cases resolve with better results (for example an infraction dismissed following diversion-type efforts, or a "wet reckless") and likewise many resolve with higher penalties.
If a jail sentence is ordered, then most first and second DUI offenders in Sonoma County can avoid serving actual jail time through alternatives such as volunteer work release or home confinement. Many second and third offenders may qualify for Sonoma County's new "DUI court" designed to focus on treatment rather than incarceration.
To examine these various jail alternatives where there are no viable defenses or aggravating factors in a case, click on Ten Tips For Easing The Consequences of a DUI on this site and go to "Jail Alternatives." Consult with a Santa Rosa DUI lawyer about your specific case.