Diamond Bar’s affluence and shopping districts make it a great place to live and socialize. Unfortunately, sometimes that fun can turn into a criminal charge when police suspect drunk driving. These are confusing charges that can alter your life, but DUI lawyers in Los Angeles is familiar with the process.
Aside from the legal repercussions, a DUI can impact your employment, reputation, and freedom. There are ways to lower or dismiss your charges when you work with a Diamond Bar DUI lawyer.
Types of DUI Charges
A first offense will have different penalties than repeat offenses, impacting your case. A DUI lawyer in Diamond Bar, CA, can review your criminal record and look for ways to help with your current charges. DUI law is complicated, and there is no one size fits all charge or solution.
With the assumption there are no injuries or death, you can face a first, second, third, or fourth DUI charge. Each has varying penalties. Remember, DUI convictions last ten years on your record.
A first offense happens the first time you are pulled over for drinking, and a second is when similar circumstances occur within ten years. Third and fourth offenses are similar to a second offense but with steeper penalties. Penalties include fines, license suspension, alcohol treatment programs, and jail time.
Penalties for DUI
Our firm understands that any penalty is too high, and you want to avoid them as much as possible. These penalties can alter your life forever, making it difficult to bounce back. A first-time offense has minimum penalties of $1,800 in fines, 48 hours in jail, license suspension, and alcohol treatment programs.
A second offense carries similar fines and license suspension but has a 96-hour jail sentence and the installation of an ignition interlock device. The length of your suspension and enrollment in alcohol treatment will vary. When you reach a third offense, subsequent offenses will have the same minimums.
After a third offense, jail time is 120 days in jail and a long-term alcohol treatment program. Instead of a license suspension, you will face a total license revocation. No restricted driving privileges are allowed. Discuss the possibility of penalties with a DUI attorney in Diamond Bar, CA, for an individual approach.
Losing Your License
The officer will take your license at the scene and issue a pink slip that expires within 30 days. You can request a DMV hearing to stop an administrative suspension within ten days. A suspension can last four months in addition to your criminal conviction.
If you are unsuccessful in a DMV hearing and are convicted of a DUI, you will face suspension from two entities. Your license is essential to your lifestyle and you must focus on reinstatement. The best way to stop an automatic suspension and reinstate your license is to work with a DUI attorney.
Sometimes, you can request a license restriction that allows you to drive to select locations. The goal is to have your license suspended for the least amount of time possible. Finding a ride for a few months can be easier than six months or a year. It is also better than not driving ever again.
Reinstating Your License
Among the many services we offer, it is imperative that we focus on your license reinstatement. A DUI lawyer can help you make the best choice for your circumstances and ensure you understand the reinstatement process. We will also construct a solid defense and arrange transportation to court if you cannot drive.
The reinstatement process has several steps, and it does not happen automatically. First, you must complete your penalties if you are convicted. Second, you must bring proof of completing your penalties to the court and purchase car insurance.
Getting car insurance with a DUI conviction is costly and requires the insurer to be aware of your conviction and issue an SR-22 to the DMV. When all paperwork is in place, you can take it to the DMV with Form DL 44 and pay the reinstatement fee.
Drugs Can Make it Worse
While a DUI conviction has many outcomes, they are worse when drugs are involved. Illegal and legal drug use can result in a DUI. Determining whether a person is using drugs is significantly different than checking their alcohol intake.
Any drug use can constitute a DUI. While DUIs with drugs have similar consequences to alcohol consumption, there are some key differences. Recreational drugs impact people in different ways. Officers will initiate a breath test and will often send you for a urine or blood test.
If the drugs are illegal, you can face drug possession charges. The caveat is that the police must find drugs on you.
Legal drugs like prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and medical marijuana are treated as alcohol DUIs with the same penalties and processes. Since you are legally using the drugs, you will not face a drug possession charge.
Building Your Case
You can fight a DUI case and keep your rights and freedoms in tack. Your Diamond Bar DUI lawyer can look for discrepancies in the officer’s report and protocols, violations of rights, and video or audio of the interaction. We can also look for alternative explanations for failed breath tests like glitches, bad data, and calibration errors.
Another strategy is to look for the misuse of breathalyzer tests and the certification of lab technicians. You can use the strategies independently or in tandem, depending on the circumstances of your arrest. Many times these arguments can result in throwing out evidence or lowering charges.
The prosecution can also decide to drop the charges if they see you have a strong case. You can also use these defenses if your case goes to trial. The goal is to create reasonable doubt and get you a beneficial outcome.
Speak to a DUI Attorney in Diamond Bar Today
A DUI can turn your life upside down, and you must fight. Without a solid defense and legal advice, you can suffer severe consequences. You must move fast and discuss your options with a Diamond Bar DUI attorney today.
Call us to schedule a consultation.
