Pasadena has intensified its crackdown on drunk driving, with penalties tougher than ever. Even a first-time DUI conviction will lead to jail time, license suspension, and hefty fines. The total cost of a DUI in Pasadena can quickly escalate to thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
We believe these penalties are excessive. That’s why it’s important for anyone accused of DUI to have a Pasadena DUI lawyer. Our team can connect you with a lawyer with decades of experience and know-how to work within the system to protect you from the harshest consequences.
A skilled lawyer can help you keep your license, secure a lighter sentence, reduce the charge to a lesser offense, or even win your case. In many instances, having legal representation can save you thousands of dollars.
How Bad Is a DUI?
California DUI penalties have become increasingly severe, where a DUI conviction can lead to significant costs and consequences.
The penalties are dictated by the California Vehicle Code and apply to all levels of offenses, from first-time to repeat offenders. Hiring a lawyer is vital to working through these criminal offenses.
Penalties for DUI convictions include:
- Fines and expenses: A first-time DUI can cost at least $1,800, including vehicle impound fees, DUI school costs, and increased insurance rates.
- Jail time: A first DUI conviction carries a minimum of 2 days in jail, but judges can impose up to six months. Multiple offenses can lead to up to a year in jail or 16 months in state prison.
- DUI school: First-time offenders must attend a three-month DUI school costing $500. Repeat offenders may face a 30-month treatment program costing $1,800.
- Lost license: DUI convictions result in mandatory license suspension, with the possibility of restricted driving privileges for work.
Beyond the initial penalties, DUI offenders face probation for three years or more and may need to install an interlock device on their vehicle at their own expense.
How Your Life Will Be Affected by a Pasadena DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction in Pasadena can significantly impact your life. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, every aspect of your life will be affected. Many people with DUI convictions struggle to find employment due to their criminal record.
DUI convictions can impact your career, and background checks can become a hurdle. A DUI conviction also results in the loss of certain rights. If convicted of a felony charge, you will lose your firearm rights, the right to vote, and eligibility for federal student aid.
Non-U.S. residents face the risk of deportation and losing their green card. Housing, child custody, and your reputation can all be adversely affected by a criminal conviction. To avoid these severe penalties, it’s essential to seek the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney to clear your name of the charges.
What Happens When You Get a DUI
When you’re arrested for DUI, the legal process begins. Typically, you’ll be processed at the Pasadena Jail and spend no more than 24 hours there before being released.
If you can’t afford bail, you may be held longer. In such cases, a DUI attorney in Pasadena can assist you in obtaining a temporary bail bond so you don’t have to remain in jail until your trial.
After your release, it’s important to act quickly, as deadlines for your defense are already approaching. Several critical events will follow your arrest, and having the support of a skilled lawyer from our law offices can make all the difference in handling your criminal charges effectively.
DMV Hearing Deadline
In California, the DMV can suspend your license for a DUI charge, even if you haven’t been proven guilty. This is known as Admin Per Se Suspension. From the time of your arrest, you have only ten days to request a hearing to challenge this suspension.
At the hearing, you can argue to keep your license until your trial. Missing this deadline means your license will be automatically suspended after 30 days.
Arraignment
The arraignment is a brief court hearing where the charges against you are read, and you enter your plea (Guilty or Not Guilty). Public defenders might advise pleading guilty and asking for leniency, which is often not effective.
A Pasadena DUI attorney, on the other hand, will typically recommend pleading Not Guilty. This allows your criminal defense attorney to pressure the prosecutor for a better deal or to drop the charges.
Pre-Trial Phase
Once your trial date is set, both sides prepare their cases. A diligent attorney will use this time to gather evidence, such as subpoenaing data on the equipment used for your blood alcohol test and looking for irregularities in your arrest or field sobriety tests.
They will scrutinize the police officers’ actions for any rights infringements, seeking every possible weakness in the prosecution’s case. This thorough preparation can lead to a favorable outcome without going to trial or even winning your case.
All of these phases are challenging to handle without the assistance of criminal defense attorneys. If a deal is not reached before your court date, your trial will take place in the Pasadena Courthouse. Facing months in jail is a real possibility, making skilled legal representation essential.
Beating a DUI
The best way to beat a DUI charge is to hire a Pasadena DUI lawyer. Many accused individuals worry about the cost or believe the evidence against them, such as a blood alcohol test, is too strong.
However, criminal defense lawyers often improve the outcomes for their clients in these cases.
DUI defense lawyers can potentially save you thousands in fines, making their services valuable. A DUI lawyer in Pasadena will examine every angle of your case:
- Legal procedure: Law enforcement officers must follow specific procedures from the moment they turn on their siren to the booking process. If they deviate, your rights might have been violated.
- Testing errors: Machines can malfunction, and human error can occur during testing. A DUI lawyer will review the testing history of the breathalyzer used and documentation from the lab that conducted the blood test.
- Biology: Conditions like acid reflux or diabetes can cause false positives on breath tests. Similarly, a low-carb diet or recent use of breath spray or mouthwash can influence results.
- Inconsistencies and mistakes: Police officers may mistakenly assume someone is drunk based on flawed observations. Inconsistencies in arrest reports and sworn testimony can expose these errors.
A DUI conviction can severely impact your driving record and future. Having skilled criminal defense lawyers on your side increases your chances of a favorable outcome.
Finding the Right Pasadena DUI Attorney
Having the right legal representation is essential when facing a DUI charge. A lawyer with decades of experience, can challenge evidence like field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results. Understanding the legal limit laws and having a strong defense can significantly impact your case’s outcome.
We connect you with the most experienced DUI attorneys who focus exclusively on DUI cases, have focused training, and have a proven track record. When you share your case details, we connect you with a lawyer who offers a free consultation to assess your situation and outline a defense strategy.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Call us to schedule your free consultation with a skilled Pasadena DUI lawyer today.
