If you were arrested for a DUI, you need a Santa Paula DUI lawyer to help you keep your driver’s license and minimize the fallout from your arrest.
A pre-screened DUI lawyer in Santa Paula can offer you a free consultation so you can find out how they can help you avoid the harshest potential consequences of your arrest, like jail time and losing your license.
A DUI arrest doesn’t have to ruin your life, but you must contact Los Angeles DUI Attorney as soon as possible after your arrest because you only have 10 days to avoid losing your driver’s license for months if not years.
DUIs Are Costly
One of your first questions may be: How much does a DUI cost in Southern California?
When you add up all the costs from fines, court fees, increased auto insurance rates, and other expenses, even your first DUI can cost thousands of dollars, and the penalties increase if you get another DUI within 10 years.
Some costs you can expect include:
- Minimum fine: $390
- Approximate court fees: $1,245
- DMV driver’s license fee: $125
- Vehicle towing and impound fee: $350
- Fingerprinting and booking: $170
- 3-month DUI school: $575
- Bail bond: up to $2,500
- Car insurance increases: an additional $1,000+ per year for 10 years
What Happens if You Get Convicted of a DUI
If you don’t hire a Santa Paula DUI attorney to help you avoid the worst-case scenario, here’s a taste of what to expect after a DUI conviction:
- Driver’s license suspension may last anywhere from a few months to a few years
- The Statewide Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Pilot Program may require you to install an IID on your vehicle at your own cost
- Fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars
- Jail time from 48 hours to six months for your first offense and up to three years for four or more offenses within 10 years
- Time in an alcohol treatment or education program, again at your own cost
- Mandated community service
Additionally, if you have a professional license (like if you’re a nurse or doctor), it may be suspended or revoked, affecting your career.
Should You Accept a Plea Bargain?
When it comes to DUI plea bargains, you need to work with a Santa Paula DUI attorney to get a good one since the prosecutor is more likely to offer you a bad deal if you don’t have legal representation.
One way a DUI attorney can help you is by negotiating a plea bargain that will have the smallest impact on your life.
The money you invest in a DUI lawyer may help save you thousands of dollars down the road, so schedule a free consultation today.
Can You Get a DUI With a BAC Below the Legal Limit?
While driving under the influence (DUI) typically means you were driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, it is possible to get a DUI if your BAC was under that legal limit.
Some examples of how you can get a DUI with a BAC under 0.08% include:
- If you’re under the age of 21, you can get a DUI for having any alcohol detected in your system
- If you’re found to be under the influence of marijuana, even though it’s legal in California, you can still be charged with a DUI
- If your driving is affected by any drug or even prescription medication, you may be charged with a DUI for driving while your ability was impaired
How a Santa Paul DUI Attorney Can Help You
If you’re still on the fence and wondering whether you really need a Santa Paula DUI lawyer, after being charged with a DUI, here are some of the ways an attorney may be able to help you face reduced consequences:
- Experienced DUI attorneys focus entirely on DUIs and criminal defense, so they know every way possible to help you keep your driver’s license, get an excellent plea deal, or even get your case dismissed entirely
- Unlike overworked public defenders, they have the time and resources to focus on you and your case without simply recommending you accept the first plea deal you’re offered
- A DUI lawyer will find and implement the best strategy specifically for your case, which may include highlighting procedural errors, presenting the right message to a jury, or negotiating the best possible plea deal
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Santa Paula DUI Lawyer
You will lose your driver’s license if you don’t contact a Santa Paula DUI lawyer within 10 days of your arrest to help you file for a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), so schedule a free consultation today.
A DUI arrest can ruin your life, but it doesn’t have to. Let a DUI attorney help minimize the consequences you face so you can put that bad day behind you and start moving forward in life.
