
In California, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if you are operating a golf cart. California’s DUI laws apply to anyone driving any vehicle. Thus, if you are driving a golf cart while intoxicated, you can be punished in accordance with California’s DUI laws.
For those charged with a DUI in Los Angeles, legal help is available. Reach out to a Los Angeles DUI attorney. When you do, you can explore all of your legal options and find the best way to contest your DUI charge.
Why People Are Arrested for DUI on a Golf Cart
Police officers are more likely to arrest a drunk driver that is traveling in a passenger vehicle or semi-truck. However, a police officer is responsible for enforcing all DUI laws, including those that apply to golf carts. If an individual chooses to ignore these laws and operate a golf cart while intoxicated, they can be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
California law states that it is illegal for anyone age 21 or older to operate a vehicle if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If a person is found driving a golf cart with a BAC that exceeds the legal limit, they can be charged with a DUI. At this point, an individual can have their driver’s license suspended and face jail time, a fine, and other penalties.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer understands the problems that can arise following a driving under the influence arrest. The attorney commits the time, energy, and resources to review their client’s case. If you have been arrested for a DUI on a golf cart, your attorney will do everything in their power to help you dispute the charge.
Where You Can Be Arrested for a DUI on a Golf Cart
A police officer may patrol a private or public golf course. If a golfer is driving in a golf cart and shows signs of being intoxicated, the officer may investigate. In this situation, the golfer may be charged with a DUI.
Police officers may be inclined to make a DUI arrest if an intoxicated golf cart driver causes an accident or injuries. Also, an inebriated driver that refuses to cooperate with police requests may be arrested. If someone reports a driver that appears to be intoxicated on a golf cart, police will investigate and may punish an inebriated driver accordingly.
If you are found to be intoxicated while driving a golf cart, you may be convicted of a felony. This depends on whether you were previously convicted of a DUI and other factors. With help from a DUI attorney in Los Angeles, you may be able to avoid a felony conviction.
What to Do if You Are Charged with a DUI on a Golf Cart
You may feel embarrassed if you are arrested for driving under the influence on a golf cart. Regardless, it is important to take the charge against you seriously. If you try to ignore the charge and hope it will disappear on its own, you can face severe consequences.
After a DUI arrest in Los Angeles, hire an experienced attorney. You can share details about your arrest with your lawyer. Next, your attorney can help you determine the ideal course of action to get your charge reduced or dismissed.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to contest DUI charges. Your DUI lawyer in Los Angeles works in lockstep with you to pursue all of the legal options at your disposal. With your attorney’s help, you may get a felony DUI dropped to a misdemeanor.
Legal Strategies that You Can Use to Dispute a DUI Charge on a Golf Cart
There are many legal strategies that your attorney may ask you to consider to contest your DUI charge. These include:
Claiming that You Were Drinking After Driving
You may be near a golf cart at the time you were arrested for a DUI but were not intoxicated at the time you were driving it. This depends on when police officers administer your sobriety test. If there was a long gap between when you were driving a golf cart and when you received a DUI test, the prosecution may struggle to prove that you were intoxicated while driving.
Showing that You Never Actually Drove a Golf Cart
There can be instances where a person is found asleep in a golf cart while intoxicated but were not actually driving the vehicle. Police officers may assume you were driving and arrest you for a DUI. Yet, your attorney may be able to show that you never drove the golf cart and help you gather evidence to support your claim.
Highlighting that There Was No Probable Cause
A police officer must have a valid reason for arresting someone for a DUI. The officer must be able to explain why they believed you were intoxicated and what prompted them to arrest you. If the officer cannot, they may struggle to pursue a DUI charge against you.
Your attorney considers your DUI arrest and all of the facts surrounding it. This enables your attorney to develop a legal strategy that puts you in the best position to get your charge lowered or eliminated. Your attorney may encourage you to consider a plea bargain as well.
When to Consider a Plea Bargain Following a DUI Arrest on a Golf Cart
You can propose a plea bargain that allows you to accept a lesser charge than the one a prosecutor is attempting to pursue. A prosecutor may consider a plea agreement to quickly resolve your case. Meanwhile, your attorney can help you put together a plea bargain that lines up with your best interests.
Thanks to a plea bargain, you may avoid a DUI conviction. In order to do so, it is paramount to propose a plea agreement that is fair for all parties. The agreement lets you accept responsibility for driving a golf cart while intoxicated and shows the prosecutor you are ready to learn from the incident and move forward from it.
Your attorney can negotiate a plea bargain with a prosecutor on your behalf. In addition, your lawyer can provide updates and ensure you are in a great spot to reach a plea agreement. If there is no agreement prior to a trial, your attorney will make sure your legal rights are protected in court.
Get Started with a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
An LA DUI lawyer can help you navigate the legal process if you are arrested for driving under the influence on a golf cart. For more information, please contact an LA DUI attorney today.