If you’re facing charges for driving under the influence (DUI), you’re probably worried about jail time, massive fines, and DUI school. In California, a DUI conviction also means losing your license, often for years. It is a very serious charge and one that you should fight as hard as possible.
Defending yourself against this type of criminal charge and ensuring it has as little impact on your criminal record as possible can be hard. Fortunately, a South Gate DUI lawyer can help.
Reach out to our team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer to learn more about how a lawyer can combat drunk driving charges. We can also put you in contact with a criminal defense attorney who can assist with your defense.
How a DUI Lawyer Serving South Gate Can Help
After an arrest, a criminal defense lawyer can focus on addressing all of your legal needs and developing a personalized defense strategy.
Your attorney can:
- Explain the specific criminal charges you face
- Answer any questions you have about California’s laws on DUI offenses
- Protect your rights
- Explain your next steps and guide you through the criminal justice system
- Take steps to successfully resolve your charges
You should reach out for professional help immediately after an arrest.
Get Help With All Types of DUI Charges
California uses many different charges to prosecute drunk driving.
You may need specialized help from a:
- South Gate First Offense DUI Lawyer: California treats even a first DUI conviction harshly. You could face fines, jail time, and other penalties. Fortunately, an attorney can stand up for your rights and explain your options.
- South Gate Misdemeanor DUI Lawyer: California treats most DUI offenses as misdemeanors. Your lawyer will take these charges seriously and focus on resolving misdemeanor DUI allegations through options like plea bargaining or getting the charges dropped.
- South Gate Felony DUI Lawyer: You could face felony DUI charges if the police accuse you of causing an accident while drinking or if you have multiple prior DUIs on your record. A lawyer can help with your defense to these serious criminal charges.
- South Gate Commercial DUI Lawyer: You can get help protecting your job and driving privileges if the police accuse you of a commercial DUI. Don’t wait to get help with these criminal charges.
- South Gate Marijuana DUI Lawyer: A dedicated attorney can help if you face charges for driving under the influence of marijuana or other drug offenses, potentially with a plea deal. Take charge of your future after an arrest for drugged driving.
You can discuss the specific charges you face by contacting a criminal defense attorney right now.
Penalties a South Gate DUI Lawyer Can Protect You From
California state law establishes the penalties for DUI charges. These penalties depend on whether you have previous DUI convictions (or related charges). There are separate penalties for first-time, second-time, and third-time DUI offenders.
A skilled criminal defense attorney can protect you from the following outcomes:
- Fines
- Jail time
- A license suspension
- DUI school
- Orders to use an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Community service requirements
A lawyer can tell you more about potential outcomes for a DUI conviction.
DUI Penalties Can Increase if You Have Past Convictions
If you’ve had a previous DUI conviction in the last 10 years, you will face far more severe penalties. You could be in jail for up to a year or even be sent to state prison. Fines can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. Both the license suspension and the court-ordered treatment program can also last years.
In addition, all DUI sentences result in a probation period and may involve the costly installation of an interlock device in your car(s).
What to Expect in a DUI Case
Most DUI cases follow a similar arc, although the process may vary depending on who arrested you. Police officers, the LA County Sheriff, and state troopers from the Santa Fe Springs office patrol our area. In most cases, you will be booked and processed at the local jail.
For many drivers, the first 24 hours are the most harrowing. You will spend a night in jail and likely have to post bail to be released. However, this is only the beginning of your case. You face a long legal road, and you need to take action to defend yourself each step of the way.
A single mistake during the process could result in years of penalties. Legal advice during this process is invaluable. The good news is that a skilled lawyer can guide you through the following steps:
DMV Hearing
As soon as the police arrest you, you’re on a very tight deadline that many drivers don’t even know about. The police will take your driver’s license and tell you that you have to talk to the DMV to get it back. You have only 10 days to do this.
In those 10 days, you must request a formal hearing with the California DMV and prepare an argument as to why you should keep your license. Not just any reason will do; they’re looking for legal arguments as to why you shouldn’t lose your license. You’ll want to hire a DUI lawyer serving South Gate to help you keep your driving privileges.
The Arraignment
Early in your case, usually within two weeks of the arrest, you will have to attend a court hearing called an arraignment, a short hearing before a judge where you enter a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest.
It is extremely important to have a DUI lawyer before your hearing. Your lawyer will lay the foundation for why you should not be found guilty and start to put pressure on the prosecution to offer you a way out. The sooner the prosecution sees you have a lawyer, the better.
Your Trial
An attorney can represent you in a trial, but they can also help you avoid one. A good DUI lawyer will gather evidence, find holes in the case against you, and bargain with the prosecution.
They may be able to secure you a deal with a light sentence. They could even get the charges against you lowered to something less than DUI or dropped entirely.
Does a Drunk Driving Lawyer Really Make a Difference in My Case?
Hiring a skilled DUI lawyer from a reputable law firm can help your case significantly. Here’s how a skilled criminal lawyer can build a DUI defense strategy and fight your charges:
- Challenge the validity of a breath test or a blood test
- Look for officer bias or inconsistencies in the officers’ reports
- Uncover violations of your rights
- Demonstrate alternate reasons for why you appeared inebriated
Whether your DUI attorney looks for an issue with the blood alcohol content (BAC) test, field sobriety test, or another aspect of your arrest, they’ll work hard to build a strong case and provide the aggressive representation you need to win your case and avoid further legal issues.
Get Help After a DUI Arrest
Facing any type of criminal charge, let alone a DUI charge, can be nerve-wracking. Fortunately, a South Gate DUI attorney can help you build a strong defense and fight to protect you from the drunk driving charges you’re facing.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we understand the importance of legal defense and can help you contact a skilled criminal defense law firm to handle your charges.
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