California’s criminal courts will usually treat your second DUI charge as a misdemeanor, but not always. If you’re arrested and accused of your second DUI after causing a serious accident or otherwise breaking the law, you may face felony charges. Working with a second offense DUI lawyer in Compton can help you stay on top of the allegations brought against you.
The attorneys in Los Angeles DUI Lawyer’s professional network understand how the prosecution approaches second offense DUI cases. They’ve stood up for thousands of clients before, and they can fight to have the charges brought against you reduced or dropped.
Let Los Angeles DUI Lawyer connect you with a Compton DUI lawyer who will prioritize your right to fair treatment in the wake of your second DUI arrest. That support may be the difference between a conviction and your right to keep your license.
Do Not Wait to Contact a Compton Second Offense DUI Lawyer
If you’re accused of driving while under the influence for a second time, do not wait to get in touch with an experienced second offense DUI attorney in Compton.
You have every right to exercise your right to an attorney and your right to remain silent. Doing so can make it harder for the prosecution to find material to use against you.
What’s more, police officers who attempt to violate your rights may put the prosecution’s case at risk. Keep track of how police officers interact with you and report any discrepancies to your lawyer.
The legal professionals in our network can break down the unique circumstances that led to your arrest and help you cultivate a defense that pokes holes in the accusations brought against you.
That support can protect you from a second conviction and the fines, jail time, and professional consequences that might come with one.
What to Expect From a Second Offense DUI Lawyer in Compton
Working with a Compton, CA, second offense DUI attorney allows you to:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your arrest.
- Analyze the biometric data used to claim that you violated California’s intoxicated driving laws.
- Craft a defense that identifies the weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument, pushing for the court to reduce or drop the charges brought against you.
- Explore your right to a plea bargain, as applicable.
- Aggressively defend you in and out of court, preserving your rights and preventing other parties from taking advantage of you.
- Appeal the court’s decision if new evidence comes to light, countering the prosecution’s claims.
Consequences for Your Second DUI Offense
If you don’t challenge the second DUI charges brought against you, the court has the right to impose consequences against you under CA Vehicle Code 23540 – DUI Second Offense within 10 Years. These consequences may include:
- At least 96 hours in jail, with maximum imprisonment in jail reaching up to one year
- Initial penalty assessment fines capped at $1,000
- DUI probation lasting up to five years
- Mandatory participation in an alcohol education class for up to 18 months
- The required use of an ignition interlock device
The California DMV may also suspend your license or require you to drive on a restricted license. You may also receive new points on your license, which may see you lose your right to drive for a considerable amount of time.
Aggravating Factors Can Worsen Your Charges
Certain factors can worsen the charges brought against you in the face of your second DUI offense. These can include:
- Causing an automotive collision
- Fleeing the scene of an auto accident
- Driving on a suspended license
- Injuring or killing another person
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Driving with a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher
- Refusing to take a chemical test upon your arrest
If you find yourself facing exacerbated charges, let an experienced second offense DUI attorney in Compton, CA, know right away, and do not try to defend yourself alone.
Unchallenged charges like these can see you spend a substantial amount of time in prison while also facing devastating fines. Professional support can see the charges brought against you lessened or dropped.
How Can a Second Offense DUI Lawyer in Compton Defend You?
The defense an attorney uses to defend you against accusations of a second DUI will vary based on the circumstances that led to your arrest.
The professionals in our network will individually assess your circumstances and gather the necessary evidence to counter the charges brought against you.
Common defenses against a second DUI offense can include:
- The inappropriate use of chemical tests and/or breathalyzer tests
- Lack of probable cause needed to pull a person over on the road
- Failure to read a driver their rights
- Failure to uphold a driver’s rights upon their arrest
- Inappropriate handling of evidence relevant to the driver’s criminal case
- Bias at the time of the driver’s arrest
Schedule an Administrative Hearing With the DMV
In addition to challenging the criminal charges brought against you, you will need to take action to prevent the DMV from automatically suspending your license upon your arrest. You need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your second offense arrest.
Administrative hearings allow you to preserve your right to retain your license or to operate on a restricted license instead of facing a full suspension or revocation.
An attorney’s understanding of the law may specifically allow you to take advantage of technicalities that you might have missed if you tried to represent yourself.
It’s Time to Work With a Compton Second Offense DUI Lawyer
Your second DUI offense can become complicated fast, especially if there are aggravating factors putting you at risk for felony charges. If you want to stay one step ahead and protect yourself from serious criminal consequences, get in touch with a second offense DUI attorney in Compton sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can put you in contact with a legal representative within hours of your arrest. That support makes it easier for you to communicate the reality of your circumstances with police officers and build a case against the charges you’re facing.
The attorneys in Los Angeles DUI Lawyer’s professional network have years of experience navigating the criminal circuit. Let them put that knowledge to work for you today.