CalTrans and Community Service
A California DUI conviction brings harsh punishment that can include a driver’s license suspension, fines, probation, and even jail time. Fortunately, it may be possible to avoid serving all or part of a jail sentence through performing Caltrans work or another form of community service. The knowledgeable California defense lawyers from The Kavinoky Law Firm can analyze your case and determine whether Caltrans work or community service may be an option that can help you avoid jail.
Caltrans work and community service is sometimes substituted for jail time as part of a negotiated plea bargain. In exchange for substituting all or part of your jail sentence with Caltrans work or community service, you plead guilty and save the taxpayers the cost of taking your California DUI case to trial.
If you’re set to perform Caltrans work, you must call to schedule your shift and then report to the correct work center by 6 am on the appointed day. It’s important to schedule your shifts as soon as possible, because weekend shifts fill up very quickly. Most Caltrans work occurs along freeways or highways picking up trash, cleaning graffiti, or performing other physical labor. Caltrans work can be physically challenging, but it definitely beats spending time in county jail.
In addition to Caltrans work, other types of community service may be substituted for jail time in your California DUI case. Almost any kind of unpaid work that you perform for a nonprofit or governmental organization counts as community service if the court approves it.
If you work in a certain profession, such as medicine, or have a trade such as electrician, plumber or carpenter, you’ll likely be in demand by civic groups. You can also find volunteer opportunities at organizations such as the YMCA, Salvation Army and other charities.
If you perform Caltrans work or community service for approved organizations as part of your California DUI case, you can accumulate what’s called good time / work time credits against your jail sentence. Work time credits are accumulated at the rate of one day for every six days of work, provided you followed all of the rules and performed satisfactorily.
Caltrans work and community service benefits society tremendously. Allowing convicted DUI drivers to earn credit against a jail sentence by performing work for the community eases jail overcrowding and saves taxpayers money for much-needed services. The benefit to you is clear – working for Caltrans or for another government or nonprofit group allows you to avoid spending time in jail.
If you’ve been arrested for California DUI, Caltrans work or another form of community service may help you avoid all or part of a jail sentence. A skilled California DUI lawyer from The Kavinoky Law Firm can review your drunk driving case and determine whether it may be possible for you to avoid jail. Please contact a knowledgeable California DUI attorney today at 1-800-NO-CUFFS for a free consultation.
