Question

Does a DUI count as a second one if I got my first one in another state?

If I get a DUI out of state, does it count as a 2nd DUI if I got one 12 years ago?
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Answered By: Law Office of Peter F. Goldscheider
Yes if the states have a reciprocal agreement to that effect as most do. A prior over 10years old would not be usable however for enhancement purposes but would be made known to the sentencing judge.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Thomas F. Mueller
It does if it is a law that is equivalent to Caliufornia law. So, if the other state makes it a crime to drive with a .05 BA that would not be considered an equivalent prior and would be thrown out.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Eric Sterkenburg
DUIs can only be used as a prior for ten years. A DUI from twelve years ago does not count no matter where you got it.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Andrew Roberts
It will count as your first DUI. The Court and DMV only look back 10 years. You still need to notify DMV within 10 days to deal license suspension issues. You should also retain an attorney to get you through these hearings.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Thomas J. Ogas
12 years apart? No. It would be considered your first.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Killain R. Jones
Under California DUI law a current conviction within 10 years of the previous conviction for DUI would be considered a second DUI conviction. There is a possibility that the out of state conviction may show up as a prior in California state court but the fact that the conviction is 12 years old will allow your defense attorney argue against its applicability as a prior.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: LynchLaw
In CA a conviction for a DUI offense must be in the last ten years to be counted as a prior offense.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Law Office of Harry E. Hudson, Jr.
Yes, if it is within the applicable time period.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Dennis Roberts, a P.C.
Yes it does but in CA it only counts as a second if you got the new one within 10 (it used to be 7) years.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Joe Dane
The good news is that a DUI can only be used as a prior for 10 years in California, so it shouldn't impact your current one. The prosecutor may not even know about it, but they can't legally use it as a prior, so I anticipate you'll face a first time DUI here in California.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Kennedy & Roe
It depends on the elements of the crime in the other state. Some are priors here, some are not.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Jeff Yeh
No. Even if the prosecutor in California finds out about it (which is not guaranteed), it is over 10 years old, so it cannot be alleged as a prior.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/8/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

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