If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you’re probably worried about facing jail time, a suspended driver’s license, years of probation, and thousands of dollars in fines. Fortunately, Los Angeles DUI Attorney can connect you with a legal representative who can help you avoid severe penalties.
A dedicated Artesia DUI lawyer can help you face a difficult, exhausting legal process. They will be your ally every step of the way and work tirelessly to get your charges reduced to something less serious than a DUI. Depending on your situation, your attorney could even get your charges dropped entirely.
How an Artesia DUI Lawyer Can Win Your Case
An Artesia DUI attorney will have a variety of tactics to use in your DUI case, both in and out of court. While each case is unique, you can expect your lawyer to fight the evidence against you on a piece-by-piece basis. If enough of the evidence can be challenged, the prosecutor’s case crumbles.
Some of the ways your lawyer can do this include:
- Asking the judge to block breath test or blood test “evidence” if there was any irregularity with the testing procedure.
- Suppressing evidence that was collected in violation of your rights.
- Investigating an arresting officer’s claims and showing any mistakes they made.
- Challenging the legality of the arrest
These tactics could result in a case dismissal or plea bargain negotiations that lead to a plea agreement. Many DUIs get downgraded to a less serious reckless driving charge or even dropped altogether. Your attorney can negotiate to get your drunk driving offense reduced to something with less serious penalties.
Whether blocking or challenging evidence is the best choice for you, you can rely on a dedicated attorney from a reputable law firm to provide the legal representation and strong DUI defense strategy you need to combat your charges.
An Attorney Can Gather Evidence to Support Your Defense Case
Building a compelling defense strategy is the key to combating drunk driving charges. Your lawyer will investigate your arrest and gather evidence to make your defense as robust as possible. Your lawyer will collect and analyze the following forms of evidence:
- Police reports
- Witness testimony
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) chemical tests
- Field sobriety test records
- Body camera footage
- And more
Gathering and reviewing evidence after a drunk driving arrest can be a complicated process. Luckily, an attorney can offer the legal assistance you need to find all available evidence. The more information, documents, and records your lawyer has, the stronger your case will be.
Penalties a Defense Lawyer Can Protect You From
Most people don’t realize how expensive a DUI can be. Lawmakers have consistently raised the penalties over the years to the point that even the simplest South California DUI conviction can now cost you over $15,000. These kinds of costs can bankrupt an individual citizen, but to the City of Artesia, they’re easy money.
Artesia makes sure to prosecute each case heavily, and law enforcement across the area has received extra funding to increase DUI arrests. The reason DUI costs are so high is that you don’t just pay a fine if convicted. On top of the hefty fine, there are also special administrative fees, and you may have to pay “restitution” or other costs.
Even if you’re sentenced to the minimum $390 fine, the total you actually pay will be at least $1,800. Besides costs, the penalties for a first-time DUI include:
- Jail: You may be in jail for anywhere from two days to a full six months. And while Artesia’s DUI arrestees are typically held in the Sheriff’s nearby Lakewood Station, if convicted, you could end up serving your sentence in a county facility far from your community and loved ones.
- License suspension: Your DUI will cost you your driver’s license for at least six months, and possibly up to a year.
- DUI school: The judge will require you to enroll in a traffic safety course that lasts three months. You pay for this course yourself.
- Probation: You will remain on probation for three to five years and may face additional penalties as part of your probation requirements.
These are just first-time penalties. If you are a repeat offender, you can face harsher penalties. Your jail sentence could last up to a year, or you could get time in state prison. License suspension and DUI school will drag on for years. You may even be ordered into addiction treatment. The costs of your fines and penalties could easily go over $10,000.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest?
If you were pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol in Artesia, you were probably arrested by the county Sheriff or state troopers out of Santa Fe Springs. No matter which agency brought you in, the results are the same: a fast-moving legal battle that may affect your life for years.
This battle is marked by three main events, each with its own deadline. How you meet these three events will help determine the outcome of your case. A dedicated drunk driving lawyer can help you meet these deadlines and represent you during the following legal proceedings:
The Arraignment
Your arraignment occurs two days to two weeks after your arrest and is your first appearance in court. You will stand before a judge and officially enter your plea of Guilty or Not Guilty. This will also be your chance to show the prosecutor you won’t be easy to convict.
Prosecutors can’t spend a lot of time on every single case, and they don’t want your DUI case to become a big legal battle. If you already have a DUI attorney they respect, they’ll know that you’re serious about fighting your charges. In this case, they may immediately offer you a better deal.
The DMV Hearing
Once arrested for DUI, you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing. If you don’t, the DMV will suspend your license before you’ve even gone to trial. An Artesia DUI attorney can request this hearing and represent you during it, ensuring you have the best chance possible of keeping your driving privileges.
Your Trial
If you go to trial it will be held at the Norwalk Courthouse anywhere between 30 to 45 days after your arrest. Facing a jury is not easy, and trials can be stressful and frustrating. If you hire an experienced attorney, you may never have to go to trial. Your DUI lawyer will work to win your case for you before the trial date ever comes around and consider trial by jury a last resort.
Talk to an Artesia DUI Lawyer for Free
Facing a legal issue like a DUI can be extremely stressful and challenging. The good news is that Los Angeles DUI Attorney can provide the resources you need to fight your criminal charges and avoid a mark on your disciplinary record. Reach out to us today to find a skilled lawyer who can combat your drunk driving charges.
No matter how many offenses you’ve had in the past, a lawyer can work hard to get a favorable plea deal for reduced charges or a complete case dismissal. You can rely on a knowledgeable attorney to provide the advice and trial representation you need to put this unfortunate incident behind you.
