Being charged with commercial driving under the influence (DUI) can have long-term consequences. If you receive this charge, take legal action. Partner with a Glendale commercial DUI lawyer who can help you defend against a conviction.
Seek legal help with a Glendale DUI lawyer with years of relevant case law experience. Your attorney can explain your legal options and what steps to take to contest your charge. Schedule a case consultation with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer with decades of experience.
What Is a Commercial DUI?
You have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are driving a large truck or bus. The police pull you over and claim you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher. At this point, police officers could arrest you and charge you with a commercial DUI.
The legal BAC limit is lower for commercial drivers than for motorists. If you are 21 years of age or older and drive a car in California, police could charge you with driving under the influence if your BAC is 0.08% or higher.
Following a commercial DUI arrest, get legal help. A Glendale commercial DUI attorney can discuss CA Vehicle Code 23152 (d) and other legal topics that apply to your case. Meet with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
Glendale Commercial DUI Penalties That You Need to Know About
The prosecution is unlikely to go easy on you if you are charged with driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence. A commercial DUI lawyer serving Glendale can teach you the penalties associated with a conviction. Common California DUI penalties for those convicted of a commercial driving under the influence charge for the first time can include:
- A jail sentence lasting up to six months
- A fine of $390 to $1,000
- Suspension of your commercial driver’s license for up to one year
- Probation for a maximum of five years
- Enrollment in a DUI class for up to nine months
Previous DUI convictions can impact your penalties. Your attorney can share details about how California’s “Three Strikes Law” can affect your DUI. They can prepare an argument designed to show the court that you should not be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
How to Dispute a Commercial DUI Charge
Give your commercial driving under the influence charge your undivided attention. Ask a commercial DUI attorney serving Glendale to help you fight back against your charge. Your lawyer will consider many DUI strategies for your case, including:
Questioning Your Field Sobriety Test (FST) Result
Just because the police administer a field sobriety test and the result indicates that your BAC exceeded the legal limit does not mean that you will be convicted of driving under the influence. Police officers may have made mistakes when they performed your test. Your lawyer can highlight these errors in their argument, which could prompt the court to rule in your favor.
Showing That There Was No Reason to Pull You Over
Police officers must prove that they have a valid reason for stopping your vehicle. Your attorney could poke holes in the prosecution’s argument and raise doubts about whether there was probable cause for your traffic stop. These doubts could make it difficult for the court to convict you.
Explaining That You Were Intoxicated Due to No Fault of Your Own
You consumed a drink that someone had spiked and, shortly after this happened, received your commercial DUI charge. Or you took a medication that impacted your FST result. In either of these scenarios, you could be arrested for driving under the influence, and your lawyer may claim that you were involuntarily intoxicated at the time you were charged.
If you have a strong case, the prosecution may be inclined to settle out of court. The prosecutor’s concerns could lead them to propose a plea bargain. By approving this proposal, you resolve your case without a trial.
How a Commercial DUI Plea Bargain Works
Commercial DUI plea bargains are not available in every case. If a plea deal is offered, you could agree to a lesser charge than the one you originally received. In return, you may stay out of jail or avoid other serious penalties.
A Glendale, CA commercial DUI lawyer can answer any questions you have about plea agreements. If you get a plea bargain, you can evaluate the proposal with your attorney. Together, you and your lawyer can weigh the offer’s pros and cons.
If you accept a plea deal, you can move past your commercial DUI. Alternatively, if you decline a plea agreement or do not receive one during your litigation, your lawyer continues to assist you with your legal matters. Your attorney helps you get ready for your trial and makes sure that you can present a compelling argument.
Trust a Commercial DUI Lawyer to Help You Keep Your Freedom
A commercial DUI conviction can prevent you from working as a trucker and damage your relationships with family members and friends. Rather than risk a conviction, hire a Glendale, CA commercial DUI attorney as soon as you can after your arrest. Your lawyer will protect your legal rights and best interests at each stage of your legal proceedings.
Choose a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who has handled thousands of cases as your legal representative and advocate. Your attorney can help you address legal challenges as they arise. Consult with a commercial DUI attorney.
