If you were pulled over and arrested for impaired driving, you’re probably wondering how long your license will be suspended if you’re convicted of DUI. If this is your first offense and you’re above the age of 21, you will receive a one-year license suspension if convicted. However, repeat offenders may face longer suspensions and other more serious consequences.
If you’re facing license suspension, expensive fines, and prison time after a DUI arrest, you need a Los Angeles DUI lawyer. We can investigate your incident and mount a strong defense case on your behalf. Let’s take a closer look at license suspension penalties and how an attorney can help you avoid them.
How Long Your License Will Be Suspended After a DUI Conviction
Knowing how long your license will be suspended if you’re convicted of a DUI can be helpful if you’ve been brought up on impaired driving charges. That said, it can be difficult to determine how long you’ll have to go without your driving privileges, especially if you’re a repeat offender. Additionally, there are some scenarios where you may face license revocation.
Fortunately, an experienced DUI lawyer from Los Angeles can draw on their extensive legal knowledge to determine what type of license restriction you could face from a conviction. Depending on the amount of prior convictions you have, you could face the following penalties:
First Offense
As mentioned earlier, first-time offenders will receive a one-year license suspension. This suspension begins 30 days from the date of the suspension order. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI before, another conviction will lead to an extended suspension period.
Second Offense
According to California Vehicle Code § 23152, if you are convicted of a DUI that didn’t result in an injury and it’s your second DUI offense, you’ll receive a two-year license suspension. Under California Vehicle Code § 23153, you could receive a three-year license revocation for a second-offense DUI that resulted in the injury of another driver or pedestrian.
Lastly, California Penal Code §191.5(b) states that your license could be revoked for three years if your second DUI conviction resulted in vehicular manslaughter.
Third Offense
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI for the third time, you’ll face more than a license suspension. Instead, your license will be revoked for three years for a non-injury accident. If your DUI resulted in injury or death of another party, your license will be revoked for five years.
Fourth Offense or Higher
Your fourth or higher DUI offense will result in a mandatory four-year license revocation. If your DUI incident resulted in the injury or vehicular manslaughter of another driver or pedestrian, your revocation period will be increased to five years.
2nd Offense With Previous Felony Conviction
If you have a previous felony conviction, a second offense DUI will result in more serious penalties than a two-year license suspension. For a non-injury DUI conviction, you’ll receive a four-year license revocation. For a DUI that resulted in injury or death, you’ll face a five-year license revocation.
How an Attorney Can Help You After a DUI Charge or Conviction
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI and have received a license suspension or revocation order, you’ll have 10 days from the date you received the order to request a DMV hearing. During your hearing, you can present your case, and the court will decide whether or not to suspend or revoke your license.
Navigating a licensing hearing can be difficult, so it’s critical that you hire a skilled DUI lawyer to help you with your case. An attorney can ensure your request for a hearing is filed correctly and provide effective representation during legal proceedings.
Fighting DUI Charges
If you haven’t been convicted of a DUI yet but are facing impaired driving charges, an attorney can help you avoid license restrictions altogether. Here’s what a seasoned lawyer can do to fight the charges you’re facing:
- Investigate your traffic stop, collect witness testimonies, and gather other important forms of evidence
- Use evidence to build a strong defense case on your behalf
- Work with expert witnesses to strengthen your case, if necessary
- Challenge the accuracy of your sobriety test and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test results
- Negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors for reduced charges
- Represent you in court and fight to get your charges dropped
- Provide legal advice and guidance throughout your entire case
If convicted of a DUI, license suspension and revocation aren’t the only penalties you could face. You may also be required to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle. An IID is a breathalyzer device that can stop you from driving your car if it detects alcohol on your breath.
In addition to an IID, a DUI conviction can also result in fines and imprisonment. To avoid these outcomes and a permanent mark on your driving record, you’ll want to seek out legal guidance from a committed Los Angeles DUI attorney. They’ll be able to tailor a legal strategy to your unique situation and protect your best interests at every step of your case.
Meet With a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer for Free
Facing license suspension, fines, and other severe consequences after a DUI can be incredibly stressful, and combatting charges in court can be difficult. To get the help you need to understand the penalties you’re facing and avoid a life-altering conviction, reach out to a Los Angeles DUI lawyer today.
A skilled attorney can provide the advice and legal counsel you need to achieve the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your best course of action. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
