Law enforcement in Buena Park does not go easy on crime – and that includes driving under the influence. DUIs are treated as serious criminal charges, and the legal process is often long and complex. You need an excellent Buena Park DUI attorney to build a strong defense.
Los Angeles DUI lawyers are trained to handle tough drunk driving cases, and they know how to examine prosecutor evidence and poke holes in it. Their goal is to keep you out of jail, save money, and possibly even drop all your charges.
If you’ve been arrested in Orange County for driving under the influence of alcohol, it’s time to call our criminal defense attorneys. With one phone call, you can start to protect yourself from the consequences of a DUI conviction, consequences that could last the rest of your life.
Is Fighting a DUI Charge Through a Buena Park DUI Lawyer Worth it?
A DUI conviction in California includes a suspended driver’s license, jail time, crushing fines and fees, and more that can affect you for the rest of your life. Therefore, fighting the charge is in your best interest if you were arrested for DUI. There are ways to reduce or eliminate your charge that you might not know about.
While you will have to pay lawyer fees if you decide to fight your charge, it could be much more expensive not to fight it. Beyond court fines, increased insurance, and possible jail time, a DUI can cost you in other hidden ways. You could lose your job and driver’s license, causing months of lost wages.
A Buena Park DUI attorney will know how to get you the best deal possible if you cannot avoid conviction. With the help of a lawyer, you could negotiate with the prosecutor and the judge to reduce the consequences of your DUI or win your jury trial by arguing persuasively in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Buena Park?
After being arrested for DUI by a police officer, most people end up spending a night in jail at the Buena Park Police Department. As soon as you’re detained, the legal process begins. That’s when you can take action by contacting an experienced attorney.
There are three crucial deadlines (that can carry potentially life-changing consequences) involved in the DUI process you need to be aware of if you want to fight your charges.
Driver’s License Suspension
As soon as you’re arrested for the DUI, police will take your driver’s license, and you’ll get a slip of paper that acts as a temporary license. Then, your local California DMV starts putting an administrative suspension on your driver’s license that will take effect 30 days after your arrest—unless you fight it within ten days.
You’ll need to contact the DMV and request a hearing. If you don’t request the hearing within ten days of your arrest, you’ll lose your chance of fighting your license suspension – so act quickly. A DUI lawyer can contact the DMV for you and handle the DMV hearing, allowing you to plead your case for keeping your license.
The Arraignment
This is a short hearing held between a few days to a few weeks following your arrest. The primary purpose of this hearing is for you to plead “guilty” or “not guilty.” However, it’s also a chance for the prosecution to determine whether it will be easy to convict you of DUI.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a DUI defense lawyer on board well before this hearing. You’ll be able to demonstrate to the prosecutor that you plan to fight your charge.
The Trial
If you go to trial, a jury will examine the evidence and decide whether you’re guilty. However, most DUI cases don’t get this far. If all goes well, your lawyer can secure a fair plea bargain or dismiss your charges well before the trial date.
This is why it’s crucial to speak with a DUI lawyer in Buena Park as soon as possible after your arrest: they can start building a solid defense early to improve your chances of a favorable outcome without facing trial.
The Penalties of a DUI Charge in Buena Park
California cities are especially tough on DUIs. Beginning in 2011, California has a policy of automatically suspending your driver’s license if you are suspected of DUI. This is known as an administrative suspension or admin per se suspension.
Although this penalty begins as soon as you’re arrested, you can fight your license suspension, as mentioned above, if you contact the California DMV within ten days of your arrest to request a license suspension hearing.
Here are the penalties you may face depending on the number of prior DUI convictions:
First Offense DUI Penalties
- Driver’s license suspension for at least four months
- Up to six months of jail time
- Minimum fine of $390 to $1,000 (with total cost or fines and fees up to $15,649)
- Three months of mandatory DUI school
- 3-5 years probation
- Possible installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car
- Increased car insurance rates
Second Offense DUI Penalties
- Driver’s license suspension for up to two years
- Up to one year in jail
- Fines and fees up to $4,000
- Between 18 months and 30 months of DUI school
- 3-5 years probation|
- Mandatory installation of IID device on your car
Third Offense DUI Penalties
- Driver’s license suspension for up to three years
- Up to one year of jail time or up to 16 months of state prison time
- Fines and fees up to $18,000
- 30 months of DUI school
- 3-5 years probation
- Mandatory installation of IID device on your motor vehicle
Fourth Offense DUI Penalties
- Driver’s license suspension for up to four years with a possible permanent suspension
- Up to 16 months of state prison time
- Fines and fees of up to $18,000
- 30 months of DUI school
- 3-5 years of probation
- Mandatory installation of IID on your motor vehicle
After a fourth DUI offense, you’ll be considered a convicted felon. A felony is the most serious criminal charge for DUI.
Talk to a Buena Park DUI Lawyer Today
California cracks down on DUIs, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to fight yours. A DUI lawyer knows how to look at the evidence against you and find weak spots, such as ways your rights were violated during your arrest process and more.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation with a Buena Park-area DUI lawyer about your criminal defense. Call us by phone or fill out the contact form to the right for your free consultation.
