You feel overwhelmed after you are charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI). Thankfully, legal help is available. Partner with a Santa Monica misdemeanor DUI lawyer, as they will commit the time and resources required to contest the prosecution’s case against you.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer has served thousands of clients. Our team understands how difficult it is to find a Santa Monica DUI lawyer who will advocate for you. Let us connect you with a misdemeanor DUI lawyer who genuinely cares about you and your case.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer if You Have Been Arrested for a Misdemeanor DUI
Going through the legal process that follows a misdemeanor driving under the influence arrest by yourself can be problematic. If you make a mistake during this process, the prosecutor in your case will capitalize on it, and you will be convicted. On the other hand, a Santa Monica misdemeanor DUI attorney minimizes the risk of legal mistakes.
Your attorney will discuss how long a misdemeanor DUI stays on your record in California and other case topics with you. They remain on your side at each stage of your case. Any time you have legal concerns or questions, your lawyer will address them promptly. Plus, your attorney will prepare your legal defense and, if warranted, negotiate a plea bargain for you.
Consult with a driving under the influence attorney if you are wondering about the ways a lawyer can help you with your misdemeanor DUI case. The team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer has decades of combined experience. We use what we know to help those charged with a misdemeanor DUI get legal representation. Trust us to assist you as you search for legal help.
Santa Monica Misdemeanor DUI Penalties That You Need to Know About
What you do in the aftermath of your misdemeanor driving under the influence arrest has far-reaching effects. If you choose to do nothing, you will be punished severely. Those convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in California can be subject to various penalties, such as:
- A maximum of one year in a county jail
- A fine ranging from $390 to $5,000
- Enrollment in a DUI education program for up to 30 months
- Suspension of your driver’s license for up to three years
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car for up to two years
In addition to these penalties, you will have to deal with myriad collateral consequences due to your misdemeanor DUI conviction. These consequences can include travel restrictions, trouble obtaining or maintaining a professional license, and reputational damage that hampers your relationships with family and friends.
How to Defend Against a Misdemeanor DUI Conviction
Just because you believe you will be convicted of misdemeanor driving under the influence does not guarantee that this will happen. Your misdemeanor DUI lawyer serving Santa Monica will put together a legal defense specifically for your case. Below are some of the DUI strategies that your attorney may consider.
Illegal Traffic Stop
The police pull your car over and claim that they did so because they suspected you were operating your vehicle under the influence. Regardless, the police officers who arrested you must have had a valid reason for your traffic stop. If your lawyer can prove that the police had no grounds for stopping your car, the court may be inclined to rule in your favor.
Not Driving at the Time of Your Arrest
You were arrested for driving under the influence because you were sitting in the driver’s seat of a car that was parked. Or, when you were arrested for a DUI, someone else was driving the vehicle. If either of these is true, your attorney can argue that you were not driving your car, which may prompt the court to dismiss the prosecution’s case.
Medical Condition
Sometimes, those diagnosed with diabetes or other medical conditions experience symptoms that mimic the signs of intoxication, leading to a DUI arrest. In your case, your attorney may explain to the court that your medical condition can cause these symptoms. They may also provide the court with medical records highlighting your condition to support their argument.
Outside of these legal defenses, your misdemeanor DUI attorney serving Santa Monica will tell you if a plea deal is a viable option. If the prosecution offers a DUI plea bargain, you can review the proposal with your lawyer. By accepting a plea deal, you could avoid a lengthy jail sentence and other harsh DUI penalties.
Receive Legal Guidance and Support from Santa Monica Misdemeanor DUI Lawyers
You are unsure of what to do following a driving under the influence arrest. Have Santa Monica misdemeanor DUI attorneys evaluate your case. From here, your lawyer can build your legal defense and position you to get your desired case outcome.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer removes the guesswork of getting legal help after a DUI arrest. Give our team the details of your misdemeanor DUI case. Then, we can match you with a driving under the influence lawyer who will meet or exceed your expectations.
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