While you have the right to refuse a breathalyzer or similar test when an officer pulls you over, doing so can leave you in a complicated position. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath of refusing a test on your own. Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with an Orange County DUI refusal lawyer who can help you protect your rights and build a defense strategy.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer has worked with thousands of clients in the wake of DUI arrests. We understand the charges that you’re facing and why you might have felt compelled to refuse a DUI test. The Orange County DUI lawyers in our network can work with you to push back against your charges without complicating your situation any further.
Let us leverage 19 years of experience on your behalf. Contact us today.
California Takes DUI Test Refusals Seriously
California law dictates that anyone arrested for driving while under the influence has tacitly agreed to chemical testing. In other words, your consent is implied. Refusing to participate in these tests can result in serious consequences, as the law will interpret your refusal as a refusal to cooperate with an agreement you’ve already made.
You can discuss implied consent and the impact a refusal has had on your specific circumstances when you meet with an Orange County, CA, DUI refusal attorney for the first time. We can break down what specific circumstances make your case unique and how your refusal might impact your long-term driving privileges or right to certain legal agreements.
When to Work With Orange County DUI Refusal Lawyers
We encourage you to get in touch with a specialized criminal defense attorney sooner rather than later, especially if you’ve refused to participate in DUI-related tests. The lawyers in our professional network understand that you’re under a lot of stress and can help you formulate a legal strategy that can address your most pressing concerns.
We can specifically help you review the details of your arrest, including any violations of due process that may have compromised the legality of your arrest. We can then break down how and why you refused to participate in DUI-related tests. Working with us gives you attorney-client privilege. We are on your side, no matter what your reasons might be.
Your Orange County, CA, DUI refusal lawyer can then go on to represent you in court and ensure that you can respond to a summons from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) appropriately. Your lawyer can answer any questions you may have about the legal process and ensure that you’re as informed as possible as your proceedings progress.
What to Expect From a DUI Case in Orange County
If you’re arrested and accused of driving while under the influence, you can expect to remain in jail until a judge sees you. Most of the time, you’ll wait a single day, but you may wait up to 48 hours if you’re arrested over a weekend. You can then expect to attend an arraignment, where you will enter a plea.
We encourage you to contact an attorney as soon as you can after your arrest. Doing so makes it easier for an attorney to make recommendations regarding how you should plead, as well as attend your arraignment. If you don’t plead guilty, you can expect the court to set your next trial date within 45 days of your arrest. You will face a jury during this process.
Once your arraignment concludes, you need to file a request for an administrative hearing through the DMV, or else the DMV may contact you and inform you that you’re expected to undergo the administrative suspension process.
Consequences for a DUI in California
If you’re accused of a DUI in California, you need to fight back against your charges, or else you may face prolonged jail time, significant fines, and mandatory DUI education classes. You may also face the temporary or permanent suspension of your license, depending on your case’s unique factors.
Consequences can grow more severe if:
- You were a minor at the time of the accident.
- You have a criminal record and/or have been convicted of criminal misconduct in the past.
- Your alleged misconduct resulted in an accident, injuring or killing other parties involved.
- You had an underage passenger in your vehicle at the time of your accident.
While you have the right to refuse to participate in breathalyzer tests and other tests when stopped on the road, your refusal can compound the charges brought against you. A DUI refusal lawyer serving Orange County can work with you to address those complications, as applicable.
Let an Orange County DUI Refusal Lawyer Protect You
You do have the right to refuse the tests that law enforcement officers can use to determine your blood alcohol content on the road. However, refusing a test can complicate any criminal case brought against you as a result.
If you’re struggling to address accusations of driving under the influence, you can secure private representation. Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with a DUI refusal attorney serving Orange County, CA, and ensure that you understand the charges brought against you. Your attorney can then fight back against the criminal court’s accusations.
Working with an attorney makes it easier to push for a reduced penalty or to have the charges brought against you dropped entirely. If you’re ready to discuss how private representation might benefit you throughout a DUI case, reach out today.
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