California drivers face the biggest change to repeat-DUI penalties in years when four new laws take effect. H Law Group, a California criminal defense and DUI firm founded by former Los Angeles City Attorney prosecutor Nima Haddadi, has published a plain-language guide to the package, checked against the chaptered bill text, along with findings from a new survey of 100 Californians on ignition interlock devices (IIDs).
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 907 (Braun's Law), AB 1546, AB 1685 and AB 1687 (Irene's Law) on September 25, 2026. The changes most drivers will feel start January 1, 2027:
● A third DUI within 10 years can be charged as a felony. Under AB 1546, it becomes a "wobbler," meaning prosecutors can file it as either a misdemeanor or a felony carrying 16 months, two years or three years.
● A fifth DUI within 10 years is always a felony. The misdemeanor option is removed.
● Reduced pleas now come with the murder advisement. Braun's Law requires courts to give the Vehicle Code 23593 "Watson" advisement when a defendant pleads to a lesser offense, such as a wet reckless, in place of a DUI charge.
● Longer hit-and-run sentences apply when the driver has a DUI, wet reckless or vehicular manslaughter conviction in the past 10 years.
Two of the bills, AB 1685 and AB 1687, do not take effect until January 1, 2031. A broader rewrite that included ignition interlock changes (AB 1830) did not pass, and the Governor asked lawmakers to return to it in 2027.
"The third-offense change is the one I expect to see most in practice," said Haddadi. "Starting in January, someone charged with a third DUI in Los Angeles, or anywhere in California, with two priors in the last 10 years can be facing a felony filing, not just a misdemeanor. And anyone negotiating a reduced plea should know the court will now give the murder advisement on the record even when the DUI charge is dropped. These are things people need to understand before they're in a courtroom, not after."
Survey: support for IIDs is high, awareness is not
With ignition interlock reform expected back before the Legislature in 2027, H Law Group surveyed 100 California residents ages 18 to 64 on September 28, 2026. Among respondents:
● 58% said they had not heard of an ignition interlock device before the survey.
● 74% said requiring an IID after a DUI conviction is fair.
● 67% would choose an IID requirement over a longer license suspension.
● 60% support financial assistance for low-income individuals to install one.
● 37% believed an IID tracks the driver's location, and 26% believed it sends driving data to police.
"People need to understand what an ignition interlock requirement would mean in their daily lives," said Haddadi. "This survey raises useful questions about awareness and affordability. Clear explanations of the device, the costs, and the available options should be part of that conversation."
The survey is exploratory and unweighted, and results should not be read as representative of all Californians. Full question wording, response counts, methodology and downloadable aggregate data are available at no cost and without registration.
Resources
● New California DUI laws for 2027, bill by bill: https://www.thehfirm.com/new-california-dui-laws-2027
● California Ignition Interlock Device Survey (full results and data): https://www.thehfirm.com/research/california-ignition-interlock-device-survey
About Nima Haddadi
Nima Haddadi is the founder and lead trial attorney of The H Law Group. Before founding the firm, he was a prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, which handles misdemeanor cases, including DUI, arising within Los Angeles city limits. He has been licensed by the State Bar of California since 2010 (Bar No. 270701) and has appeared as a legal commentator on Fox News.
About H Law Group
The H Law Group (The H Firm) is a California criminal defense and DUI law firm representing clients charged with DUI in Los Angeles and across the state, with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Irvine, Temecula and Santa Barbara.
###
Contact
The H Law Group
Jacob Arndt
714 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles
(262) 894 1674
[email protected]
https://thehfirm.com/
Disclaimer: This release is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. DUI laws, penalties, charges, defenses, and case outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case and may change. Individuals facing criminal charges should consult a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation.
Source: 38 Digital Market News
Release ID: 2714800
