If you’re facing a DUI in La Palma, the decisions you make following arrest can have a huge impact on your case’s end result. DUI charges in California aren’t cheap, and they can come with a lot of life-changing consequences. Choosing competent legal representation can make all the difference in your outcome. That’s why it’s wise to contact a La Palma DUI lawyer as soon as you can.
Just because you were arrested for DUI doesn’t mean you’re doomed to face the highest penalties. You can fight the DUI charge, and we can help connect you with the best attorney for the job. To get a FREE consultation with a DUI lawyer in the La Palma area, contact us today. Simply fill out the form on this page or call 310-896-2724 to get started right away.
How Can a La Palma DUI Lawyer Improve My Odds?
Consulting a DUI attorney after your arrest is the best course of action you can take. Having experienced legal help can mean the difference between a good result and a bad result. DUI attorneys have spent years learning the best tactics for defending a DUI, and they know how to work even the toughest of cases. Plus, they’re able to find opportunities in a case and weak spots in evidence against you that might seem hopeless to you.
Here are some specific ways a DUI lawyer can help improve the odds of success in your case:
1. Challenging the arresting officer’s statements
Police officers, even when they mean well, are people too. They can make mistakes and errors or hold biases that even they might not be aware of. Your lawyer will look at the arresting officer’s testimony and look for problems. (The DMV hearing is a good opportunity for this, if you request one.)
2. Looking for violation of your rights
It’s more common than you’d think for police to violate a defendant’s rights during the arrest process. If there are issues, your attorney will find them. And if your rights were violated in any way, this may be key evidence that gets thrown out.
3. Questioning test results and methods
There can be a number of problems with chemical tests meant to determine whether or not you’re under the influence. Breath and blood tests are the most common.
Breath tests can be thrown off in many ways. Having a medical condition, eating a low carb diet, having acid reflux, small amounts of alcohol from other sources, or even burping can all lead to skewed breath test results, for example. Plus, sometimes the machine is not properly calibrated or maintained and can bring inaccurate results.
Blood tests can be inaccurate, as well. Potential errors can include:
- Samples drawn incorrectly, causing false positives
- The testing equipment picking up substances other than alcohol
- Incorrect storage or handling of the blood sample
If your lawyer is able to prove there is an irregularity in how your test was carried out or handled, they may be able to get its evidence thrown out.
4. Building a solid, intimidating case
Prosecutors don’t like to lose cases, but they’re often juggling several at a time. They also don’t want to spend time, energy, and resources on a DUI case where the defendant is clearly going to make their job difficult.
If they see you have a solid DUI attorney, and that your attorney can build a strong case fighting against the charges, they are more likely to be lenient. Your lawyer may be able to convince the prosecution to drop the case altogether—or at least offer you a plea deal that leaves you much better off. This could mean a reduced charge like reckless driving, a lighter sentence, or walking away Not Guilty.
Will I Have to Lose My Driver’s License?
After being arrested for DUI, the California DMV will put an automatic hold on your driver’s license. This means you’ll get a temporary license and after 30 days your real license will be suspended. However, you can fight this suspension if you act fast.
You’ll need to contact the DMV within 10 days of your arrest and request a DMV hearing. During this hearing, you’ll need to demonstrate why you should be able to keep your license. Common arguments that can help win a DMV hearing include:
- You weren’t actually driving the vehicle
- Your arrest wasn’t valid
- The results of your breath or blood test may not have been accurate
If you lose the DMV hearing, you will lose your license after 30 days. But if you win, you can keep during the DUI process. It’s also best to already have a DUI attorney by the DMV hearing. They can use the hearing as an opportunity to subpoena the arresting officer and get testimony they can use in your case prior to your trial.
What Are My Options if I’m Convicted of DUI?
Being convicted of DUI makes your situation tougher, but it doesn’t always mean you’re out of options. In La Palma, you may have grounds for an appeal process. During an appeal, you request a higher court review the decision made by the Superior Court to convict you. However, winning the appeals process is not easy, so you definitely want professional legal help on your side.
A good DUI lawyer can make all the difference. In some cases, the right evidence in an appeal can get the conviction overturned and possibly lead to a new trial. But a DUI appeal is not about determining whether or not you’re guilty or looking at new evidence. DUI convictions will only be overturned if you can prove you were unjustly convicted or sentenced because of a legal error in the trial process.
Types of legal errors the higher court may review can include:
- The prosecution acting unethically
- The jury being allowed to hear evidence that the judge shouldn’t have allowed
- The jury using facts beyond the evidence to make its decision
Appealing a DUI conviction is a long road, but it’s not impossible. Make sure you have a DUI lawyer who knows and has experience with California appellate law.
Speak with a La Palma DUI Lawyer for Free Today
We believe everyone deserves good defense in their DUI case. We can get you a FREE consultation with a leading DUI lawyer in the La Palma area and make sure they’re a good match for you. Every lawyer we work with focuses on DUI law exclusively and is ready to help you. For that FREE consultation, give us a call today at 310-896-2724 or complete the short form on this page to get started.
