Driving over the legal limit is a serious matter. DUI is a criminal charge, and penalties have gotten steeper in recent years. Even a first-time offense now carries potential jail time, as well as a suspended driver’s license, three or more years on probation, and massive fines. In other words, a conviction can follow you for the rest of your life.
That’s why you need to hire an experienced Agoura Hills DUI lawyer to help you fight your DUI charge. Los Angeles DUI Attorney can connect you with a lawyer who may be able to get the case against you dropped, reduce your charges to something less serious, or even win your case outright.
How an Agoura Hills DUI Lawyer Can Win Your Case
Beating a drunk driving charge is possible, but it isn’t easy. You will be better prepared to fight your DUI charge if you have a good attorney on your side. You should seek out an attorney who works exclusively on DUI law and has years of experience in the field. Respected DUI attorneys develop a reputation for a reason.
When an attorney approaches a DUI case, they look at it methodically. They go through the evidence against you piece by piece and see which pieces are weakest. Then, they work to get that evidence disqualified in the courtroom. Often, even some of the seemingly “strongest” evidence can be thrown out.
For example, your Agoura Hills DUI Attorney can take the following actions
- Build the strongest defense possible against misdemeanor or felony charges
- Challenge a blood alcohol content, breathalyzer, or field sobriety test if testing procedures were not followed
- Challenge other forms of chemical testing
- Rip apart police officer testimony if the officer is inconsistent in their statements,
- Challenge the arrest itself if your rights appear to have been violated
- Move to disqualify your own statements if you weren’t apprised of your rights during questioning
- Provide effective legal advice and advocacy throughout your case
Taking these important steps requires an understanding of the legal process and procedures. When done properly, they could turn your entire case around. The prosecutor may even drop the DUI charge entirely. Reach out to an experienced defense attorney today to learn more about the services a lawyer can offer.
Consequences You Could Face if Convicted of a DUI
DUIs carry a variety of penalties, but perhaps the most serious is the sheer financial cost. Over the years, DUI fines have steadily gone up, making it one of the most expensive misdemeanors you can be charged with. A simple DUI for a driver with no previous criminal record can now cost up to $15,600.
The city of Agoura Hills takes full advantage of this. They see DUI convictions as a source of much-needed revenue, and they’ve cracked down to keep that money coming in. The area holds DUI checkpoints monthly and does not go easy on the drivers it catches.
Fines aren’t the only penalties for DUI you face. The complete consequences of a first-time DUI conviction include:
- Court assessments: In addition to fines, the court charges fees. Even if you are fined a minimum of $390, your total bill after a conviction will be at least $1,800.
- Jail time: Every DUI carries at least two days of potential jail time, and can carry up to six months in jail.
- Lose Your License: You will lose your license for at least several months and potentially up to a year.
- DUI School: All DUI offenders are required to attend special DUI driving safety classes. For a first time conviction the classes typically last three months and cost hundreds of dollars.
These are just first-time penalties. Under California state law, the penalties for repeat offenders are much steeper. They may include:
- Jail time of up to one year or a prison sentence of up to 16 months
- Fines and fees that easily range into the tens of thousands of dollars
- License suspension lasting a year or more
- DUI school that lasts up to 30 months
You may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device on your car and may even lose your driver’s license permanently. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid these unwanted outcomes. Reach out to a DUI lawyer from Agoura Hills today to get the legal representation you need to combat charges for driving under the influence of alcohol.
What to Expect After a DUI Arrest in Agoura Hills
DUI arrests begin in many ways. Agoura Hills is policed both by the LA County Sheriff and by Highway Patrol squads from the West Valley division. In most cases, you will be booked and processed at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. But no matter who brought you in, once you’ve been arrested, you face a legal process that moves fast and does not forgive mistakes.
That process has deadlines, and you need to be ready to meet each one. The three main deadlines for your DUI case are:
The Arraignment
Your arraignment may happen within a few days of arrest or may be several weeks out. You should consider this your hard deadline to get a DUI lawyer. At the arraignment, you will be asked to enter your plea—and the prosecutor will almost certainly offer you a “deal” that isn’t much better than being found guilty.
Having a good Agoura Hills DUI attorney with you sends a strong message. It tells the prosecutor you will not go down easily and that they will have to work to convict you of a criminal offense. That alone may convince them to offer you a better “deal.”
The DMV Hearing
After your arrest, you have only 10 days to fight for your driving privileges. If you do not request a DMV hearing within the 10 days, your license will be put on administrative suspension. Ask your lawyer to help you request the hearing.
A committed DUI attorney from Agoura Hills can put in a request for the hearing and represent you during it. The prospect of losing your license may seem frightening, but working with a skilled lawyer can give you the best chance possible of keeping your ability to drive.
The Trial
Your trial date will be set within 45 days at the Van Nuys Courthouse. Trial can be intimidating, but with a good lawyer, you may not go to trial at all. Your attorney will work to resolve your case before the court date ever happens—and get you an outcome you can live with.
Talk to an Agoura Hills DUI Lawyer for Free
Facing charges for driving over the legal limit can be intimidating. No one should face a DUI charge alone. We can connect you with a dedicated attorney from a DUI defense law office in the Agoura Hills or the Beverly Hills area. We only work with lawyers who specialize in DUI and offer a free consultation.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and meet with a skilled Agoura Hills DUI lawyer. They’ll meet with you to discuss the charges you’re facing, advise you on your best course of legal action, and answer any questions you may have about the DUI defense process.
