The legal limit in the state of California is .08% BAC (blood alcohol concentration). If you are pulled over and found to be over the legal limit, you’ll be arrested and could face many serious consequences such as license suspension, fines, and jail time. Fortunately, a skilled Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can take on your case and protect you from a conviction.
A lawyer will offer further information on what the legal limit is in the state of California and represent you during all legal proceedings. Let’s take a closer look at the state’s BAC limit for drivers and what an attorney can do to fight your DUI charges.
Exceptions to the Legal Limit in the State of California
To fully understand the legal limit in the state of California, it’s helpful to learn about the exceptions to the limit. One important exception to the state’s blood alcohol content (BAC) limit applies to individuals under the age of 21. If you are under 21 and you are found driving with any amount of alcohol in your system, you’ll be charged with a DUI.
If your child has been arrested and charged with an impaired driving offense, you’ll want to hire a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney ASAP. A lawyer can guide you through the DUI defense process and work hard to protect your child’s driving record and future.
Exceptions for Commercial Drivers
There are also legal limit exceptions for commercial drivers in California. If you are pulled over while driving a commercial vehicle and found to have a BAC of .04% or higher, you’ll face drunk driving charges. Familiarizing yourself with this exception and abiding by the law can help you protect your career and avoid unwanted penalties.
Exceptions for Repeat DUI Offenders
The legal limit in the state of California is different for drivers who’ve been convicted of DUI. If you have a previous DUI offense on your record, you can be arrested for drunk driving with a BAC as low as .04%. Reach out to a DUI defense lawyer today if you’ve been arrested for a repeat DUI offense.
Sentence Enhancements for Driving Significantly Above the Legal Limit
If you’re wondering what the legal limit is in the state of California, you may also want to familiarize yourself with the sentence enhancements you could face if police officers find that you are well above the limit. If your BAC was .15% or higher, you will face a sentence enhancement. This means the penalties for your DUI are steeper than normal.
Whether you are facing normal or enhanced penalties for driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated, you’ll want to hire a trusted DUI defense attorney. A lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges reduced, protecting you from the worst consequences associated with a DUI conviction.
You Can Face DUI Charges if You Are Under the BAC Limit
While it might come as a surprise, you can be arrested for driving under the legal alcohol limit. If law enforcement officers determine that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can arrest you even if your alcohol levels are under .08%. The California Vehicle Code gives two following definitions of drunk driving:
- Driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or greater
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
Only the first definition requires proof you were over the legal limit. The second definition is more subjective. It’s often used to prosecute a DUI when there is clear evidence you were driving dangerously or in an unusual manner but not clear evidence you were over the BAC limit.
The prosecutor will make the case that even though your blood alcohol was not that high, it clearly affected your driving. If you were arrested while under the limit, you should hire a lawyer soon. An attorney can explain the legal limit in the state of California and protect you from a potentially life-altering DUI conviction.
How an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer Can Help You
If you are facing the serious legal consequences that come from a DUI offense, you need to find an attorney who can protect your best interests and combat the impaired driving charges you are facing. Here’s what a dedicated DUI defense attorney can do to safeguard your freedom and keep your driving record clear from unwanted convictions:
- Investigate your arrest and gather important evidence for your defense case
- Analyze blood tests, breath tests, urine tests, and other tests performed by arresting officers
- Advise you on how to fight underage driver DUI charges if your child has been arrested for impaired driving
- Negotiate with prosecutors to get a favorable plea deal
- Represent you during DMV hearings, your court appearances, and other legal proceedings
- Explain the state’s zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers
- Offer further information on what the legal limit is in the state of California
- Fight to get your charges reduced or dropped
As you can see, there are many steps that a DUI defense attorney can take to protect you from a serious conviction. No matter how complicated your case is, an experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the facts and gather the evidence required to build a compelling DUI defense case on your behalf.
Penalties You Could Face if Convicted of DUI
Whether you are a commercial driver, a regular motorist, or an underage driver, you don’t want to face the serious penalties that come with a DUI conviction. If you are convicted with an impaired driving offense, you could face several negative outcomes, including the following:
- License suspension or revocation
- Fines
- Mandatory DUI education programs
- Probation
- Jail time or a prison sentence
- Ignition interlock device installation
- Increased insurance rates
- Community service
- DUI-related convictions on criminal record
- Possible vehicle impoundment
A DUI conviction can result in legal penalties and other consequences that impact nearly every aspect of your life. For example, if a potential employer finds out that you have a conviction on your record, they may think twice before hiring you.
A DUI can also increase your insurance premiums, adding more financial worry to an already stressful situation. To learn more about the penalties you could face if convicted of a DUI, get more information on the legal limit in the state of California, and increase your chances of avoiding a harsh sentence, hire a skilled DUI defense attorney.
How To Find the Right DUI Defense Attorney for Your Case
Now that you know more about the penalties you could face if convicted of a drunk driving offense, you’re probably ready to hire a lawyer. That said, you’ll want to be very careful when selecting an attorney, as hiring the wrong representative can hurt your case and lead to an unwanted conviction.
Hiring a trusted and experienced lawyer will help you avoid license suspension, jail time, and the other harsh consequences that result from a conviction. Ask a lawyer the following questions to determine if they’re the right fit for your case:
- Do you have experience with cases similar to mine?
- Can you speak to your rate of success with DUI cases in California?
- What is the legal limit in the state of California?
- How long have you practiced criminal defense law?
- How will you go about investigating my case and constructing my defense strategy?
- Can my case be resolved through plea bargaining?
- Do you have any client testimonials I can review?
- Do you have any information on your past case results I can see?
- How much does it cost to hire you?
- Will you provide updates regarding the progress of my case?
- How often will we communicate about my DUI defense case?
Asking an attorney these questions can give you a good sense of whether you should hire them. If you’re satisfied with their responses, consider working with them on your case. Hiring the right lawyer can make a world of difference when you are facing a conviction that could restrict your driving privileges and negatively impact other areas of your life.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Dedicated DUI Defense Lawyer
Facing a first time or repeat offense DUI charge can be a frightening and stressful experience. The good news is that hiring a skilled lawyer can help you get your sentence reduced or your charges dropped. With an attorney’s help, you’ll be able to protect yourself from a conviction that could turn your life upside down.
Contact Los Angeles DUI Attorney today to schedule a free consultation and get matched with the right attorney for your case. We’ll provide the resources you need to understand what the legal limit is in the state of California and connect you with a lawyer who will protect your rights at every step of the criminal defense process.
