Does California Give Jail Time On a First DUI?

For anyone facing a driving under the influence charge in California, many questions exist.  Perhaps the most important question is whether a defendant is facing automatic jail time as a first offender.  The answer to the interrogatory depends on the county and city you are arrested in.  For example, in some areas of Kern County a person who is convicted of a first time DUI has to do 48 hours in jail, and no time is given for the time spent in the jail when arrested.  However, on average, most persons sentenced for a DWI or drunk driving who have no record are given no incarceration, at most some community service or jail alternative.