No DUI Arrests at Sobriety Checkpoint, But a Bunch of Citations

There were no arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol out of 946  vehicles checked Saturday night when the conducted a sobriety checkpoint in Hamilton.

Novato police Sgt. Oliver Collins said the checkpoint was set up on Nave Drive at Roblar Drive, just north of the Hamilton Marketplace shopping center on the city's south side.

Thirty-three drivers were given field sobriety checks. Four drivers were found to be unlicensed and two had suspended licenses. Five other citations were issued and four vehicles were towed because of misdemeanor violations.

Normally, towed vehicles can be returned to the owner the next day so long as a licensed driver is picking it up and proof of registration and insurance can be provided. There is a $130 police release fee as well as a towing and overnight storage fee to the garage of $65. The longer a car owner leaves it stored, the more it costs to retrieve it.

Driving on a suspended license in California can be expensive and time-consuming. A first-time conviction carries a minimum fine of $300 and a maximum fine of $1,000. There can be penalty assessments and/or imprisonment for five days to six months. A second offense within five years will get you a minimum penalty of $500 and a maximum fine of $2000. Jail time can be for 10 days up to one year.