Driving under the influence is a serious offense. If you face a DUI charge and believe the issue will disappear by itself, you are wrong. Get help from an Industry DUI lawyer, and they will contest your charge before it leads to a conviction.
When in doubt about how to respond to a driving under the influence charge, request help from Los Angeles DUI Attorney. We can connect you with an attorney who has decades of legal experience, and they can examine your legal options with you. Schedule a consultation with an attorney.
What to Do if You Get a DUI
Try to remain calm after you receive a driving under the influence charge. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and you can dispute your DUI. Here are things you can do to put yourself in a great position to get the charge against you dismissed or reduced:
- Request a hearing. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days of your arrest — if you do not, your driver’s license will be suspended.
- Gather evidence. Collect photos and videos from your arrest and other evidence that will help you prove you do not deserve to be punished.
- Identify witnesses. Ask a passenger who was traveling with you or anyone who saw your arrest happen to serve as a witness and testify on your behalf.
- Get ready for your hearing. Meet with a DUI lawyer serving Industry who will address your legal concerns and questions and ensure you are prepared for your hearing.
- As you debate whether to get a DUI lawyer in California, consider one of the worst-case legal scenarios. You go through your litigation alone, and a prosecutor overwhelms you with evidence. This can result in a conviction, which you may have avoided if you had hired a lawyer to protect your legal rights.
DUI Penalties
A prosecutor will consider many legal strategies to get a conviction for a DUI. If convicted, you face penalties that could affect you for the rest of your life. Here are some of the California DUI penalties to expect after a conviction.
Jail or Prison Time
With a misdemeanor conviction, you face up to a year in a county jail. If you are convicted of a felony, you could receive a lifetime prison sentence. An Industry DUI attorney can explain what is considered a felony in California and if you are subject to jail or prison time based on your driving under the influence charge.
DUI Fines
Getting convicted of driving under the influence can put a dent in your budget. For a misdemeanor, you can be fined up to $5,000. In a felony case, you could receive fines totaling up to $10,000.
Suspension of Your Driver’s License
If police officers find you are driving under the influence, they will issue an order of suspension. This informs you of your right to request an administrative hearing to appeal the order within 10 days. If you choose not to do so, you could have your license suspended for a minimum of four months.
Probation
You may have the option to accept probation instead of having to complete a jail sentence. In this scenario, you could face three to five years of probation. The conditions of your probation may include participation in a drunk driving impact program or having an interlock ignition device installed in your car.
A DUI attorney serving Industry will discuss the short- and long-term ramifications of a conviction with you. They will work diligently to craft an argument designed to compel the court to give you a favorable ruling. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your lawyer could also help you get a plea deal.
How an Industry DUI Plea Bargain Works
The prosecutor in your case wants a conviction but is concerned about the strength of their argument. As such, they offer a plea deal in which you can agree to a lesser charge than the one you originally received. If you approve the deal, you could avoid jail time and other substantial penalties.
Your lawyer will notify you about a plea deal and describe what the agreement entails to you. Accepting an initial plea bargain may seem like a good idea, but it can cause you to take the blame for a crime you did not commit. Your attorney can handle your plea deal negotiations and keep you updated every step of the way.
Following your driving under the influence charge, you may have the opportunity to accept a “wet reckless” or “dry reckless” plea bargain. A “wet reckless” deal indicates drugs or alcohol were involved in your case, while a “dry reckless” agreement does not. By accepting either of these, a prosecutor reduces your DUI charge to a reckless driving offense.
Industry DUI Lawyers Can Help You Keep Your Freedom
You have no control over the legal proceedings that come with your driving under the influence charge. In spite of this, you have the option to pursue legal help. Work with a lawyer, and they will give your case the attention it deserves.
Los Angeles DUI Attorney can connect you with a legal team that understands your case and fights just as hard as you. Have an attorney evaluate your case and build a compelling argument for you. Contact a DUI attorney in Industry to get started.
