Being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol can feel overwhelming and like your world is crashing down. However, you are not alone, and more importantly, you have options for fighting back against these charges.
By partnering with a skilled Canoga Park DUI lawyer, you gain a powerful ally with extensive experience defending cases just like yours. With a Los Angeles DUI attorney, you put yourself in a much stronger position to contest these criminal charges and work towards getting your charge dismissed or reduced.
Having this level of tenacious legal representation maximizes your chances of the best possible resolution. Taking quick action to retain a lawyer means you do not have to walk this path alone against the system. With the right legal representation, you can regain hope for a brighter future.
Do Not Expect a DUI Charge to Disappear on Its Own
Thousands of people are arrested for DUI in California every year. No matter when a DUI arrest occurs, the issue can escalate. If you try to ignore the ramifications of a DUI arrest, you may face serious penalties and incur the very expensive cost of a DUI in Southern California.
In many instances, a California DUI offense is considered a misdemeanor. California DUI penalties may include license suspension, fine, or probation. In a more serious case, you may have to serve jail time.
A DUI lawyer in Canoga Park will do their part to get your DUI charge lowered. To do so, your attorney will evaluate your charge and what happened during your arrest. From here, your criminal defense lawyer can determine how to best contest your charge.
How Long Your Driver’s License Can Be Suspended for After a DUI Arrest
If you get arrested for a DUI for the first time, you will have your driver’s license suspended for four months. This applies to individuals who are 21 or older and took a test that indicates their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.08% or higher.
For these individuals, a subsequent DUI offense within 10 years of their initial one will result in a one-year suspension of their driver’s license.
You Can Appeal A Suspension
Ultimately, your license will be suspended within 30 days of your DUI arrest. You can request a hearing with the DMV to appeal your driver’s license suspension. Yet, you must do so within 10 days of your arrest.
A criminal defense attorney will do everything in their power to help you retain your driver’s license. In addition to filing an appeal on your behalf, your lawyer can help you prepare an argument to support your claim.
Your lawyer will make sure you can present an abundance of evidence that helps you keep your driving privileges and get your DUI charge dismissed or reduced.
How the DUI Process Works
Following your DUI arrest, it is important to seek immediate legal advice. Choose a lawyer who can provide you with a wealth of resources relating to DUI arrests. This lawyer can provide ample support at each stage of your DUI case.
After retaining a Canoga Park criminal defense attorney, here are the major steps you can expect to go through during the life cycle of your case:
- DMV Hearing: Within just 10 days of your arrest, you can elect to attend an administrative hearing to present arguments and evidence as to why the DMV should not suspend your driver’s license – a suspension that is otherwise automatically triggered.
- Arraignment: You and your attorney will make your initial court appearance before a judge, where you officially enter a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty” to the DUI charge.
- Pre-Trial: During this phase, your lawyer will thoroughly examine all evidence the prosecution intends to present against you, investigate any potential issues or irregularities with the evidence, and formulate a comprehensive strategy for disputing and suppressing it.
- Trial: If no alternative resolution is reached beforehand, you and your attorney will appear in criminal court for a formal trial. There, arguments and evidence from both sides will be presented before a judge, who will render a final verdict on your guilt or innocence on the DUI charge.
A skilled attorney leaves no stone unturned in their efforts to resolve your case. There may be times when you need to go through the entire process to get your DUI charge dropped. Or, you may be able to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution.
Types of Plea Bargains You May Want to Consider in a DUI Case
A plea bargain represents an alternative to going to court and arguing your case during a trial. You or the prosecutor can propose a plea bargain at any point leading up to your trial. You may consider several types of plea bargains, including:
- Wet Reckless: By accepting this type of plea bargain, you agree to a lesser charge than the one you originally received.
- Dry Reckless: You may get or offer a dry reckless plea bargain if there was an issue with chemical testing performed by your arresting officer or if your blood alcohol content BAC was near the legal limit.
- Exhibition of Speed: You may be punished on the basis of a speeding charge rather than a DUI.
- Open Container: You may be punished for having a container of alcohol open in your vehicle instead of a DUI.
Your criminal lawyer can teach you about the different types of plea bargains and their respective pros and cons. If you get or propose a plea deal, your lawyer can help you along the way. In doing so, your attorney will make sure you are well-positioned for legal success, regardless of whether a plea bargain is approved.
How a DUI Attorney in Canoga Park Helps You During Your Trial
If your DUI case goes to trial, your attorney will be at your side. At this point, your lawyer will do what it takes to dispute any evidence against you, which can include:
- A police officer’s testimony relating to your driving pattern and behavior
- Field sobriety tests requested by the arresting officer
- The accuracy of any blood alcohol tests you completed
- Your own statements from the time of your arrest
Your lawyer commits time, energy, and resources to build a case that compels the court to rule in your favor. In the best-case scenario, your attorney raises doubts about the prosecution’s evidence. If your lawyer is successful, your DUI charge will be cleared, and you will not have to worry about the long-term harm that comes with a DUI conviction.
Contact a Canoga Park Criminal Defense Lawyer to Contest Your DUI
If you were recently arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, do not wait any longer to hire an attorney. The consequences of a DUI conviction can be severe and long-lasting, which is why it’s critical to have an aggressive legal advocate on your side from the very start.
Do not simply hope for the best – take proactive action to protect your rights and future by contacting Los Angeles DUI Attorneys following an arrest. A DUI lawyer in Canoga Park will fight tirelessly throughout each stage of the process to ensure you receive the most favorable outcome possible.
Do not try to handle the legal system alone – call us right away to receive the legal representation you need and maximize your chances of avoiding a conviction. Your future depends on it.
