You can work with a commercial DUI lawyer serving Lakewood, CA, to fight back if you’re accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect California residents accused of driving commercially while under the influence with attorneys who can represent their best interests. Support from the Lakewood DUI lawyers in our professional network can make the difference between a prolonged imprisonment and your right to return to a career as a professional driver.
Get in touch with us today and let us connect you with attorneys who’ve represented thousands of California residents in criminal court.
When Can You Face Commercial DUI Charges?
According to California Vehicle Code §23152(b), commercial drivers in California have stricter DUI policies leveled against them than private drivers. If a commercial driver gets behind the wheel of a corporate vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.04%, that driver can face legal consequences for their misconduct.
Police officers throughout California have the right to pull you over and ask if you’ve been drinking if you exhibit dangerous roadway behavior or otherwise act as though you’re intoxicated. However, officers must have the means to prove probable cause when arguing that they can charge you with a commercial DUI.
Unfortunately, commercial DUI charges are particularly serious. Not only do they come with the risk of jail time and fines, but they can also see you lose your job and find yourself barred from employment in the transportation or trucking industry.
What are the Legal Consequences for a Commercial DUI?
The consequences you face if you’re accused of a commercial DUI will change depending on whether or not you caused a serious accident, your criminal history, and the nature of any losses other people sustained as a result of your alleged intoxication. You may specifically find yourself dealing with:
- Considerable fines and related legal fees.
- Mandatory time spent in jail or state prison.
- The loss of your CDL license for up to one year.
- A lifetime disqualification from holding a CDL license.
- The loss of your job.
The moment you’re arrested and accused of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence, California’s DMV will automatically suspend your CDL. Fortunately, you can fight back against that suspension. Working with a commercial DUI lawyer serving Lakewood lets you request an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days of your arrest.
Attending a DMV administrative hearing lets you argue for the restoration of your CDL through your hearing. The attorneys in our professional network can represent you throughout these hearings while also preparing a defense to present in front of a California criminal judge.
When Should You Call a Commercial DUI Lawyer?
You should not wait to schedule a consultation with a commercial DUI attorney. You have the right to an attorney from the moment you’re accused of a commercial DUI and arrested. The sooner you get in touch with an attorney, the easier it may be to protect yourself from officers’ attempts to coax you to talk or otherwise plead guilty to a crime you didn’t commit.
You can contact Los Angeles DUI Lawyer immediately upon your arrest, as officers should award you the right to reach out to counsel. Likewise, if you find yourself dissatisfied with a public defender’s work, you can contact our office and request a change in your representation.
How Can You Challenge Commercial DUI Charges?
Challenging accusations of a commercial DUI will require you to present evidence that directly contradicts the prosecution’s findings regarding your accident. If you can prove that your blood alcohol test inaccurately reflects your level of intoxication, possibly due to a medical condition or test failure, you can fend off attempts to suspend your license or charge you with a crime.
Likewise, you can work with a commercial DUI lawyer serving Lakewood to question why you were stopped in the first place and whether or not an officer had probable cause. You can even argue that your field sobriety tests didn’t accurately reflect your well-being, or that the evidence relevant to your case wasn’t properly handled after officers took you into custody.
Should You Accept a Plea Deal If You’re Charged With a Commercial DUI?
You’re under no obligation to accept a plea deal if you’re accused of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence. However, if you’re offered a deal, you can discuss the logistics of that deal with your attorney to determine whether or not it treats you fairly.
The professionals in our network can also help you negotiate for lessened criminal penalties. An attorney can even push to have you undergo mandatory DUI diversion programs or community service instead of prolonged imprisonment.
A Commercial DUI Lawyer Serving Lakewood Can Protect Your Future
A commercial DUI can compromise your right to work in your chosen field for the rest of your professional career. If you get accused of driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence, you need an experienced attorney to help defend your future.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with legal professionals throughout Lakewood who can take your case. Support from the attorneys in our professional network can help you draw attention to any bias that may have led to your arrest while also questioning the strength of the evidence used to charge you.
Don’t go into your defense without a stalwart legal ally on your side. Contact Los Angeles DUI Lawyer today, and let us put you in touch with attorneys who can take care of you.
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