If police officers believe that you are driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana, you can be arrested. This can lead to a conviction that impacts your criminal record. Trust a Long Beach marijuana DUI lawyer to help you fight back against your driving under the influence charge.
We can connect you with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who has decades of legal experience to review your criminal case. A DUI lawyer serving Long Beach can explain what can happen if you are convicted of marijuana driving under the influence. Let us help you schedule a consultation with a DUI attorney.
What is a Marijuana DUI?
It is legal to possess or use marijuana in California. However, it is against the law to drive a car under the influence of marijuana. Someone who violates this rule can be charged with a marijuana DUI.
A Long Beach marijuana DUI attorney understands the immediate and long-term ramifications of a driving under the influence arrest. They can explain the relationship between a DUI and California’s legal marijuana laws. Your lawyer can look for ways to dispute the case against you.
Consult with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer as soon as possible following a marijuana driving under the influence arrest. Your attorney can answer questions you have about how marijuana can impair driving and other legal topics. Request a consultation with a DUI attorney.
Long Beach Marijuana DUI Penalties
The penalties for a marijuana DUI in California can be significant. A marijuana DUI lawyer serving Long Beach can provide insights into how you could be punished based on your charge. Possible penalties you could receive following your marijuana DUI arrest include:
Jail Time
You can get a minimum jail sentence of four days for a first-time marijuana DUI conviction. Alternatively, the court could sentence you to a maximum penalty of six months in jail. Your lawyer will work diligently to help you avoid jail time altogether.
Fines
How much the court decides to fine you depends on your case. The minimum fine for a first-time marijuana DUI conviction is $390, and the maximum penalty is $1,000. Any fine you get can be imposed in conjunction with a jail sentence and other penalties.
Probation
The court may put you on informal probation for three to five years if you are convicted of a marijuana DUI for the first time. With this, you will have to comply with certain court-ordered requirements. A marijuana DUI attorney serving Long Beach can teach you about formal vs. informal probation in California.
Driver’s License Suspension
You are subject to a driver’s license suspension if you are arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana. When you are arrested for a marijuana DUI, your license is automatically suspended for at least four months.
The suspension could last longer if you are convicted of a marijuana DUI or have previously been convicted of driving under the influence.
If you are worried about these and other driving under the influence penalties, request legal help. A DUI attorney can guide you through the legal process. They can examine DUI strategies with you.
How to Contest a Marijuana DUI Charge
The prosecutor in your marijuana DUI case is likely to devote substantial time, energy, and resources to your litigation. If you are not careful, the prosecution will pounce, and you could be punished to the fullest extent of the law. A marijuana driving under the influence lawyer may consider myriad legal strategies, including:
You Were not Driving Your Car
The police see you sitting in your car’s driver’s seat, ask you what you are doing, and arrest you for a marijuana DUI. They claim you were driving under the influence, but the car was turned off, and you were not operating it. Your lawyer can argue that you were not driving your car, which could hurt the prosecution’s chances of getting a conviction.
You Did not Receive Your Miranda Warning
Police officers must provide your Miranda rights after you are arrested and before they question you. The Miranda warning explains you have the right to remain silent.
If you did not receive this warning and the police questioned you following your arrest, your attorney could ask the court to suppress some of the evidence they gathered, which could damage the prosecution’s case.
There Was No Probable Cause for Your Traffic Stop
Ultimately, the police must have a valid reason for stopping your car. Your lawyer can get insights into why police officers chose to stop your vehicle and arrest you. They could poke holes in the prosecution’s case by highlighting that the police did not have probable cause for their actions against you.
How your lawyer builds your argument can have far-flung effects on your case result. If your attorney has an abundance of evidence, the prosecution could have concerns about the strength of your case. These could prompt the prosecution to offer a plea deal that aligns with your expectations.
Work with Long Beach Marijuana DUI Lawyers Who will Protect Your Legal Rights and Best Interests
Choosing not to do anything about your marijuana driving under the influence charge can be problematic. A conviction can result in penalties and affect you if you want to land a job, buy a home, or achieve other life milestones. Rather than shy away from the legal process, allow a DUI attorney to assist you each step of the way.
Meet with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to evaluate your legal options. Your lawyer can address your legal concerns and questions and help you overcome challenges during your litigation. We can help you contact a reputable local DUI attorney today.