If you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, you could face criminal charges and severe consequences. Depending on your offense, you could face fines, license suspension, and even months in jail. To avoid a harsh sentence, you’ll want to work with a Chatsworth DUI lawyer.
At Los Angeles DUI Attorney, we can connect you with a lawyer who has the experience and knowledge required to get a positive result. Don’t hesitate to get the legal assistance you need to protect your criminal record and avoid a life-altering conviction.
A Chatsworth DUI Lawyer Can Build a Powerful Defense
It is not a good idea to fight DUI charges alone or with an inadequate public defender. Following your arrest, do not speak to law enforcement about the alleged incident. They could ask leading questions that result in you saying something that hurts your case.
If you are kept in custody, you have the right to three phone calls within three hours of your arrest. Exercise your rights and call an experienced DUI attorney in Chatsworth. Your attorney will be your voice, speaking for you and building a robust DUI defense strategy. Additionally, your lawyer will take the following actions on your behalf:
Investigate Your Arrest
If you were pulled over without reasonable cause or for an unlawful reason, if police officers did not conduct field sobriety tests properly, or if your rights were compromised in some other way, your lawyer will seek dismissal of charges.
Analyze Test Results
A lawyer can review the results of any urine tests, breath tests, chemical tests, or blood alcohol content tests taken after your arrest. Faulty procedures and even some medical conditions can yield false positives.
Gather Evidence
A DUI attorney in Chatsworth can gather important evidence, such as photos, video footage, and witness testimony. Your criminal defense attorney can use the information they collect to support your legal defense strategy.
Your defense attorney will communicate with you through the legal process, update you on all developments, and advise you on the best course of action. They’ll work hard to develop a legal strategy that results in a reduction of your charges to a traffic violation or the dismissal of your case.
California’s Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Charges
The charges you face after a DUI arrest depend on your history of DUI convictions, whether anyone was hurt or injured because of your impaired driving, and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
These variables bring complexity to DUI cases, making it essential to retain the services of an experienced Chatsworth DUI attorney. Your attorney will ensure you are not charged unjustly and fight to have your charges reduced to reckless driving or even dismissed. If your charges stand, your lawyer will negotiate to minimize your punishment.
How Your History of DUI Convictions Affects Your Case
Repeat offenders face more serious charges and consequences than first-time DUI offenders, provided the offense did not cause serious harm. Familiarizing yourself with the following consequences can help you determine what penalties you may be facing:
First-Time Offenses
DUI convictions come with penalties that are much worse than the average traffic offense. If this is your first offense, you will most likely face misdemeanor charges. Penalties may include one, but likely several, of the following consequences:
- License suspension of four months or more
- Maximum jail sentence of up to six months
- Fines and fees
- Potential installation of an interlock ignition device
- Attendance at DUI classes, typically for three months
- Several years of DUI probation
If convicted of a DUI, you may also experience indirect consequences like higher insurance premiums, higher transportation costs if your license is suspended, and a much more hectic schedule as you manage increased travel times or arrange alternative transportation for those depending on you to get to school, work, appointments, or other activities.
A skilled DUI attorney from a legal team in Chatsworth can mitigate these consequences and help you move on from the incident.
Second or Third-Time Offenses
Second and third-time DUI offenses come with more severe penalties. If convicted of a second or third time DUI, you are more likely to experience multiple consequences, such as:
- An up to two-year license suspension
- Up to a year of prison time
- Increased fines and fees
- DUI classes for between 18 and 30 months
- Mandatory ignition interlock device installation
- Several years of DUI probation
A third-time offense increases potential jail sentences to up to 16 months in state prison, increases fines and time required in DUI classes, and increases license suspensions to a possible three years.
Fourth-Time Offenses
If you are convicted of DUI charges for a fourth time within a 10-year period, you can face misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the specifics of the case. However, judges are typically not lenient for fourth offenses, and you need legal representation from a Chatsworth DUI attorney to handle your defense.
Convictions can bring a three-year prison sentence, a four-year license revocation, and status as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) for three years, along with the additional fees and penalties that come with first, second, or third offenses.
Other Factors Affecting Charges
Age is a factor in determining DUI charges. Those under the legal drinking age of 21 will be charged with DUI even with a BAC as low as .01% and face a year-long license suspension along with other criminal penalties. Those 21 and older generally face charges if their BAC is .08% or higher.
Even if a blood test shows that your BAC is below the legal limit, you can be charged with DUI if officers observe indications of impairment, such as bloodshot or watery eyes, slurred speech, and lack of balance.
Drivers of commercial vehicles or drivers transporting paying passengers can be charged with DUI if their BAC is .04% or higher. Commercial drivers face a one-year suspension of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for a first offense and lifetime revocation if convicted a second time within ten years.
DUI With Injury
If someone is injured in your alleged DUI incident, you can be charged with “DUI with injury” under California Vehicle Code 23153. This is a wobbler charge, meaning prosecutors may count it as either a felony or misdemeanor. Your best protection against felony charges is hiring a Chatsworth DUI lawyer with strong negotiating skills.
Understanding the Impact on Your Personal and Professional Life
A DUI conviction can lead to jail time, revocation of driving privileges, a tarnished criminal record, and a negative impact on your professional life. A dedicated criminal defense lawyer will recognize these challenges and pursue an outcome that mitigates negative impacts.
If convicted of a DUI, you could lose your professional license and have trouble pursuing employment in the future. To protect your career and livelihood, you’ll want to work with an attorney who has what it takes to build a strong defense strategy and win your case.
A Los Angeles DUI Attorney Contact Will Against Conviction and Penalties
Facing drunk driving charges can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if this isn’t your first drunk driving offense. To avoid the life-altering consequences that come with a conviction, you’ll want to work with an experienced Chatsworth DUI lawyer. A skilled criminal lawyer from a reputable law firm can build a robust defense strategy for you and fight for a positive outcome.
Contact Los Angeles DUI Attorney today to get connected with the right law firm for your unique case. We’ll connect you with the resources you need to understand the criminal defense process and protect your career, driving record, and future from the damaging impacts of a conviction.
