A DUI charge in Lomita is a serious matter. DUI is not just a traffic ticket anymore—it’s a serious criminal charge that can bring life-altering consequences. All DUIs now carry the possibility of jail time, even if you have no previous criminal history.
If convicted, you will also have your driver’s license suspended, be forced into special traffic safety classes, carry a black mark that may affect your employment, and face thousands of dollars in fines. The best way to defend yourself is to get the advice of an experienced Lomita DUI lawyer.
California’s legal system is complex, and a lawyer can help you make the right decisions to turn your case around. In many cases, a good Los Angeles DUI lawyer can get the case against you dropped, push the prosecutor to offer you a deal, reduce the charge to something less serious, or even win your case outright.
Consequences of a DUI in Lomita
DUI has become one of the most expensive crimes in southern California. A single first-time conviction for a DUI in Southern California can cost you well over $15,000—or more for repeat offenders.
This can be devastating to an otherwise law-abiding driver, but to the City of Lomita, it’s seen as a source of money.
The city enforces DUI strictly, and DUI roadblocks are held across the area to drive up arrests. Those who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol can face criminal charges and fierce prosecution.
If convicted, the penalties for a first-time DUI include:
- Jail time: A first-time DUI comes with at least two days in jail. The judge can choose a much longer sentence—up to six months.
- DUI school: All DUI offenders are ordered into a special traffic safety course known as DUI school. For a first-time conviction, it lasts three full months and may cost you upwards of $600.
- License suspension: If convicted of impaired driving, you will lose your driving privileges for an extended period of time. You will lose it for at least four months and possibly much longer.
- Fines and fees: DUI fees are complicated. On top of the criminal fee of $390 to $1,000, there are “assessments” or fees that benefit the court and local government. Even if you get the minimum fine, you’ll end up owing at least $1,800.
Repeat DUI Offenses
Under California state law, repeat offenders face severe penalties. These can include:
- A jail sentence of up to a year or up to 16 months in state prison
- Up to 30 months of DUI school
- License suspension lasting two years, three years, or permanently
- Fines and fees that can easily go over $10,000
Additional Penalties
You may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in your car, go to drug or alcohol treatment, perform community service, or fulfill other probation requirements.
These harsh penalties can seriously impact every aspect of your life, so it is important to seek legal advice and representation from a Lomita DUI attorney who can guide you through the entire legal process and fight to protect your rights.
Three Crucial Deadlines in a Lomita DUI Case
DUI cases can begin in many ways. You may have been arrested by the LA County Sheriff or State Troopers from the South Los Angeles division and were most likely held overnight or longer at the sheriff’s Lomita Station.
Regardless of how your case started, once you’ve been arrested, you will face three critical legal deadlines—and you need to be ready to take action on each one.
These deadlines are:
The Arraignment
An arraignment is a short hearing in front of a judge long before your trial. It usually happens within two weeks of your arrest, often much sooner. The point of the arraignment is to hear the charges against you and officially enter your plea.
However, this is also your first chance to face the prosecution in open court. The prosecutor is hoping that you do not have adequate legal counsel and that you will be easy to force into a conviction.
If you show up with a good DUI lawyer, they will know you’re not easy prey and re-evaluate their strategy. They may even offer you a better deal on the spot.
The DMV Hearing
From the date of your arrest, you have only 10 days to fight for your license. If you don’t request a DMV hearing within 10 days, your license will be put on administrative suspension, and you can no longer drive. Your DUI lawyer can handle the hearing for you and help you protect your license.
Your Trial Date
Your trial will be scheduled at the Torrance Courthouse within 45 days of your arrest. This is not much time to prepare a defense. You need to speak to a lawyer as early in the process as possible. Your lawyer will work to resolve your case without going to trial—potentially securing you a win long before the trial date.
How to Beat a Lomita DUI
As serious as a DUI charge is, it is possible to beat one. Every year, countless DUI cases end with the driver being cleared of all charges. But beating a DUI requires knowledge, experience, and skill, and having an experienced lawyer on your side makes a huge difference.
When a DUI defense lawyer in Lomita looks at your case, what they see is a series of pieces of evidence laid out against you. They look at this evidence one by one, seeking out weaknesses that could get it disqualified.
Often, they will see weaknesses in the evidence that an untrained person wouldn’t see. This evidence, or the lack thereof, will help them build a strong defense strategy.
For example:
- Chemical tests like Blood alcohol level or blood alcohol content (BAC) tests may seem scientific, but they can be thrown out if the state’s testing procedures aren’t followed.
- Officer testimony is respected in court, but officers routinely make mistakes, confuse the facts, or have other inconsistencies that your lawyer can leverage.
- Statements you made during initial questioning may seem incriminating but aren’t admissible if you weren’t properly advised of your rights.
- The arrest itself may not even be valid if procedures were not followed.
If your criminal defense lawyer can successfully invalidate the evidence against you, the prosecutor’s case crumbles. You may be able to plea bargain, get the charges dropped, reduce them to a lesser charge, or win your case outright.
Speak to a Lomita DUI Lawyer for Free
If you are facing drunk driving charges, you need the strongest defense possible. Let us help you find the right legal team for your needs. We are not a law firm—we work with leading DUI attorneys in the Lomita area and can help match you to a lawyer who’s right for your case.
Every lawyer we work with focuses exclusively on DUI law and will offer you a FREE case consultation. This consultation is your chance to get a professional legal opinion with no obligation.
When you consider the potential penalties, it doesn’t make sense to take unnecessary risks with your representation. Get the help you need with a Lomita DUI lawyer. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation.
