You will have many challenges if you are arrested for a DUI. Many defendants wonder if they can keep their license and dismiss their charges or if their life is ruined forever. Every DUI is unique, and there are many factors to consider that will impact your penalties.
Your license can automatically be suspended, but you can request a DMV hearing to prevent these actions. There are several options and strategies to keep your license and your freedom. You should discuss your options with a Huntington Park DUI attorney.
DUIs and Jail Time
You can be sent to jail for the traffic stop. It is scary to be disoriented and stuck in a cell, regardless of how long you are there. A DUI lawyer in Huntington Park can work to reduce your jail sentence so you spend minimal time away from your home and professional life.
In an ideal world, the charges are dismissed, or you would be acquitted. You can go to jail for a DUI immediately upon arrest and might be released the next day. If you are eligible for release, you can post bail or sign documentation saying you will attend your court dates.
After the initial night in jail, you can face additional jail time as your case progresses. The next time you can go to jail is if you are convicted of a DUI offense.
Sentencing
Your sentence can range depending on if you have a misdemeanor or felony conviction and other factors of your DUI. A DUI lawyer in Huntington Park, CA, will negotiate a lighter sentence or charge, so you spend the least time in jail. Sometimes these negotiations will require you to serve time.
The Hidden Costs of DUIs
Fines and costs can be in the thousands, with some DUIs resulting in over $20,000. Fines usually start at $1,800 for a first or second offense, and your Huntington Park DUI lawyer can work to reduce them as much as possible.
You will also have court costs to contend with, which are fixed fees. These costs are implemented by the court and are non-negotiable. The upside is you are only responsible for court fees if you are convicted.
Some often overlooked costs are treatment programs, vehicle storage, and ignition devices. If the judge sentences you to attend an alcohol program, you will incur tuition costs upwards of $500 and more when it is a long-term program.
Impounding
If your vehicle is impounded, it may stay on the lot for 30 to 90 days, and you will pay for these storage fees. A judge can also order installing an ignition interlock device as a condition of your driving privileges. You must pay for the installation and maintenance of the device.
Accidents and Injuries Can Impact Your DUI Case
Sometimes defendants are arrested for a DUI when a collision happens. Injuries from a crash will significantly impact your case and can result in steeper penalties. Judges will try to give you the maximum penalties for an injury or death.
The charges you face are felonies that stay on your criminal record and impact your future employment opportunities and rights. Defendants will also face prison time, with the minimum being one year. If an accident occurs, you must speak with a DUI attorney in Huntington Park, CA, to assess your case.
Sometimes the best route is to get lower charges, like changing the felony to a misdemeanor or getting a plea deal that requires a shorter jail sentence. There are no guarantees since each case is unique, and the judge can throw the proverbial book at you.
When there is an accident, you can also have a civil case looming. Your car insurance company can handle most of the damage, but if your limits are insufficient, the injured party can also file a lawsuit.
Building a Defense for Your DUI Case
Your criminal case will impact various aspects of your DUI and life. If there was an accident, the other party could use the result of your DUI case to get monetary compensation from you. However, if you are acquitted of criminal charges, the injured party might not want to use that in their claim.
Your focus should stay on your criminal case since it can impact your driver’s license, employment, and freedom. DUI cases can benefit the defendant if you have the right representation and strategy. Some legal strategies are best used in tandem.
Your Huntington Park DUI lawyer will review your case and look for discrepancies, rights violations, alternative explanations, etc. Video and audio from the arresting officer and other sources can also be vital to contradict the prosecution. The goal is often to get evidence thrown out and weaken the case against you.
Criminal cases work differently than civil lawsuits. The more we undermine the case, the less likely the prosecution will want to go to trial. If your case does end up at trial, we will work to cast reasonable doubt.
Legal Processes to Consider
The legal process is daunting, and many defendants are unsure of where it begins and ends. The legal process starts with your arrest and can end with a trial. When you are pulled over and the officer takes you into custody, that is the first legal step taken against you.
During the arrest, you were given a chemical test and had your license taken before being booked into a county jail. The next step in the legal process is speaking with a Huntington Park DUI lawyer to assess your case. Once you have a lawyer, they can prepare for DMV hearings, arraignments, and pretrial and trial proceedings.
Speak to a DUI Lawyer in Huntington Park
You will face many consequences and penalties for a DUI. However, having a DUI lawyer in Huntington Park on your side gives you options and strategic solutions.
Keeping their license and avoiding jail time are among our clients’ most significant concerns. The court is biased against drunk drivers, and you deserve an experienced lawyer who is on your side. Schedule a consultation and salvage your life by calling us immediately.
