What happens if you get accused of driving under the influence (DUI) three times in California? You could face serious penalties for a third DUI conviction. You may face a year of time in jail, high fines, and other repercussions.
Fortunately, you can take steps to face these charges head-on if you reach out to a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles. Find out how to handle a third DUI charge in Los Angeles right here. Consider the results of a conviction and some legal defenses.
All DUIs Are Priorable in Los Angeles
It’s important that you understand that all DUI charges in California are priorable offenses. This means that they remain on your driver’s record for 10 years. Each time you get convicted for a subsequent DUI, your previous convictions count against you.
Note that the 10-year countdown to a DUI charge coming off of your record starts from the time of your arrest. It does not begin when you are convicted.
Results of a Conviction for a “Basic” Third DUI
Each time you are convicted of a DUI, you will most likely face harsher penalties. Many people face charges for “basic” DUIs. These are DUIs that do not result in accidents or injuries. They are often prosecuted under Vehicle Code (VEH) § 23152. A “basic” or “simple” DUI could still result in serious consequences. A third simple DUI conviction may lead to:
- Up to one year of jail time.
- Up to five years of probation.
- Up to two years of usage of an ignition interlock device (IID).
- Up to 30 months in DUI education.
You may also need to pay fines to the courts after a DUI conviction. Additionally, the third DUI will go on your record. You should know that a fourth DUI conviction gets handled differently in California. A fourth DUI may get treated like a felony, instead of a misdemeanor.
You could end up facing prison time after a felony DUI conviction. The other penalties could increase as well. Get help if you are facing any kind of DUI charge by contacting us. It’s easy to reach out to us when you need help. Just call (310) 896-2724.
Information About IIDs in Los Angeles
The state of California adopted an IID program for DUI offenders. This program requires most drivers convicted of a DUI to install an IID in all vehicles they drive. An IID measures your blood alcohol content (BAC) each time you try to start your car. It will not allow you to drive if your BAC is elevated.
Drivers convicted of a third DUI generally have to use an IID for at least two years. Attempting to drive without an IID could lead to a probation violation. A probation violation is a serious act in Los Angeles. If you violate your probation, a judge could:
- Lengthen the amount of time you’re on probation.
- Add increased rules to your probation.
- Revoke your probation and send you to jail.
Learn more about IIDs by contacting a member of our team. You should note that installing an IID on your vehicle does allow you to keep driving after a DUI conviction.
Defenses for a Third DUI Charge in Los Angeles
You may work with a DUI lawyer to develop a defense if you are accused of a DUI in Los Angeles. Your lawyer may assess the facts of your case and then work on your case. You do not have to just accept a conviction for a third DUI. Your lawyer may work to show that:
- You were stopped without cause by a police officer.
- You were not actually driving under the influence.
- You were given mis-administered BAC tests.
You may take a breath, blood, or urine test after a DUI arrest. However, these tests will probably not return accurate results if they are not given correctly. For example, your results may not be correct if a police officer waited too long to perform the test.
Our team understands the defense strategies that work to handle DUI charges in Los Angeles. If you were accused of a DUI, allow us to assess your unique needs and get to work on your defense right now.
Contact a Lawyer if You Get Three DUIs
So, what happens if you get three DUIs? You may face a conviction that could lead to jail time and high fines. Take steps to avoid these penalties by reaching out to a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles. You may contact a member of our team now to learn more with a free consultation.
Reach us by calling (310) 896-2724 or filling out our online contact form.
