If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving for the first time, you’re probably stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. Knowing that the consequences of a DUI conviction can be severe, you’re probably wondering what you can do to protect yourself.
A skilled Pasadena DUI lawyer can represent you and safeguard your permanent record.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we connect individuals facing DUI charges with skilled attorneys. We’ll help you find a Pasadena first offense DUI lawyer who has extensive experience handling first-time drunk driving cases and knows how to get the results you deserve.
With their help, you’ll have an excellent chance at avoiding the penalties that come with a conviction.
How a Pasadena First Offense DUI Lawyer Can Help
Building a strong defense and handling court appearances can be incredibly difficult if you don’t have a legal background or a skilled Pasadena criminal defense attorney. To give yourself the support and advocacy you need to navigate the legal process, you’ll need to hire an experienced lawyer.
Here’s what a Pasadena first offense DUI attorney will do to help you after your first drunk driving arrest:
- Request your DMV hearing within the 10–day deadline to prevent automatic license suspension
- Challenge the legality of your traffic stop
- Review breathalyzer or blood test results to determine if they are accurate
- Investigate how field sobriety tests were administered and find out whether they were conducted fairly
- Determine if your rights were violated at any point during the traffic stop or your arrest
- File a motion to have unlawfully obtained evidence thrown out
- Build a strong defense case on your behalf
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced
- Argue for alternative sentencing options
- Represent you in court and fight to get your charges dropped
- Provide sound legal advice throughout your entire case
Penalties You’ll Face if Convicted of a First Time DUI
The state of California treats driving under the influence of alcohol as a serious offense, even for first-time offenders. A conviction could result in consequences that put your life on pause and make it hard for you to support yourself and your family.
The good news is that a first offense DUI lawyer from Pasadena can fight to get your charges dropped or reduced, protecting you from the worst outcomes. Your lawyer will work tirelessly to shield you from the following penalties:
- Driver’s license suspension for at least four months
- Up to six months in jail
- Fines
- Mandatory DUI classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle
- Up to five years of probation
- A criminal record that shows up on background checks and makes it difficult for you to find employment
These penalties can disrupt your life in major ways and make it hard for you to find work or obtain a professional license. Don’t put your future and livelihood in jeopardy. Instead, reach out to an attorney today and get the representation you need to protect yourself and your permanent record.
Defenses a Pasadena First Offense DUI Attorney Can Use to Fight Your Charges
Just because you were arrested for drunk driving doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. You have the chance to defend yourself from a conviction and the penalties that come with it. Here are some of the defenses a first offense DUI attorney in Pasadena may use to win your case:
- The police had no legal reason to stop your vehicle
- Arresting officers failed to use the correct procedures for breath and blood tests
- You have a medical condition such as acid reflux or diabetes that skewed your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test result
- You weren’t driving the vehicle
- The police unlawfully searched your vehicle or violated your constitutional rights in another way
Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your alleged offense and arrest to determine which defense strategy is right for your case. With a defense strategy that‘s tailored to fit your unique situation, your attorney will have the support they need to fight your charges.
How to Find the Right DUI Lawyer for Your Case
If you’ve never faced DUI charges before, you’re probably unsure what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer. Finding the right attorney for you can drastically impact the outcome of your case.
Make sure to ask a potential lawyer the following questions to determine if they’re the right fit for you:
- How many DUI cases have you handled?
- Do you focus primarily on DUI defense?
- Have you handled cases in this specific court before?
- What is your strategy for defending a first offense DUI?
- Will you be the one handling my case directly?
- How often do your DUI cases go to trial?
- What are your fees, and do you offer payment plans?
- Can you represent me at the DMV hearing?
- How will you keep me informed throughout the case?
- What penalties am I facing?
- Do you see any immediate weaknesses in the case against me?
Get Started on Your First Offense DUI Case
Don’t let one mistake change the course of your life. Hire a dedicated Pasadena first offense DUI lawyer who has what it takes to get your charges reduced to a lesser offense or have them thrown out entirely.
With the help of a skilled lawyer, you’ll be able to avoid life-altering outcomes like jail time and marks on your permanent record.
Contact the team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer to find the right attorney for you. We’ll review the details of your case and connect you with a lawyer who has the experience and resources required to get the results you deserve. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
