Marijuana DUI Defense Lawyer in Santa Barbara

California has long held some of the nation’s most lenient marijuana laws. Californians voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, later expanding the law in 2016 to legalize recreational marijuana for adults age 21 or older. However, despite the laws protecting certain uses for marijuana, there are still some acts that can lead to criminal prosecution. A common example is driving under the influence of marijuana, which remains a crime despite California’s legalization of marijuana for adults.

Santa Barbara Marijuana DUI Defense

If you, a family member, or someone you love was arrested in Santa Barbara County and charged with driving while high, it’s crucial to seek help from a skilled defense attorney who has prior experience handling marijuana DUI cases. At The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we are aggressive, results-oriented criminal attorneys with decades of experience handling an array of misdemeanor and felony drug charges. Our founding attorney, Mr. Ron S. Bamieh, was one of the youngest attorneys ever to serve as neighboring Ventura County’s Senior Deputy District Attorney, giving our legal team invaluable insight into how prosecutors build cases and how to find their flaws. We will protect your rights and guide you through the justice system while looking for ways to bring your case to a favorable resolution. We may even be able to have your case dismissed. However, we cannot help you until we know about your situation. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges for allegedly driving while stoned in Santa Barbara County, we urge you to contact our law firm at (805) 643-5555 for a free legal consultation.

What is the Penalty for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana in CA?

Though California recently legalized recreational marijuana, there are still some restrictions on what marijuana users may and may not lawfully do while using, or while under the influence of, the drug. Driving while using or under the influence of marijuana, which is also called “weed,” “pot,” or “cannabis,” is illegal in California, similar to driving under the influence of alcohol or prescription medications. This is clearly established by Cal. Vehicle Code § 23152(f), which states simply, “It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle.” The penalty for DUI with marijuana in California depends on several factors, including:

Whether it was the driver’s first offense, second offense, or a third or subsequent offense.
Whether the charge is graded as a misdemeanor or felony, the latter being more serious. In California, crimes that have the potential to go in either direction are known as “wobblers.”
Whether the marijuana DUI resulted in injury to anyone other than the defendant, such as a passenger or pedestrian. The severity of the injury can also have an effect on the case.

Some of the potential penalties for marijuana DUI in California are listed below. Keep in mind that, in addition to the fines, jail or prison sentences, and license suspension periods listed below, convicted defendants may also receive additional penalties, including probation and mandatory driver safety courses, which can be costly to enroll in.

First-Offense Misdemeanor Marijuana DUI in California

Fine — Maximum $1,000
Sentence — Maximum 6 months in jail
License Suspension — Maximum 10 months

Second-Offense Misdemeanor Marijuana DUI in California

Fine — Maximum $1,000
Sentence — Maximum 1 year in jail
License Suspension — Maximum 2 years

Third-Offense Misdemeanor Marijuana DUI in California

Fine — Maximum $1,000
Sentence — Maximum 1 year in jail
License Suspension — Maximum 3 years

Felony Marijuana DUI, no Injury

Fine — Maximum $1,000
Sentence — Maximum 3 years in prison
License Suspension — Maximum 4 years

Felony Marijuana DUI, with Injury

Fine — Maximum $5,000 (plus restitution, potential for civil lawsuits)
Sentence — Maximum 16 years in prison
License Suspension — Maximum 5 years

Misdemeanor Marijuana DUI, with Injury

Fine — Maximum $5,000 (plus restitution, potential for civil lawsuits)
Sentence — Maximum 1 year in jail
License Suspension — Maximum 3 years

Santa Barbara Marijuana DUI Attorneys Can Help

A drug-related DUI conviction can land you in jail, take away your driving privileges, burden you with costly criminal fines, and potentially, spell the demise of your career. You could also see a dramatic increase in your insurance costs, making it more expensive to drive once the license suspension period ends. With so much at stake, you need to take every possible measure to give yourself a better fighting chance in court. Make sure that you are represented by a Santa Barbara marijuana defense lawyer who is ready to fight hard on your behalf.

At The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, our DUI marijuana lawyers represent clients in the City of Santa Barbara and throughout Santa Barbara County, including Carpinteria, Goleta, Guadalupe, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Montecito, Orcutt, Santa Maria, Solvang, and Vandenberg Village. With offices conveniently located in downtown Santa Barbara near the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, we are easy to reach and make ourselves available to our clients around the clock.

For a free legal consultation concerning marijuana-related DUI charges in Santa Barbara County, call our law offices right away at (805) 643-5555. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.