A third driving under the influence (DUI) charge can permanently impact your life. With the penalties becoming more severe with each subsequent DUI offense, it’s critical to understand what’s at stake and to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Fortunately, an experienced third offense DUI lawyer in Santa Clarita can help.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we have helped thousands of people fight back against DUI charges. Our experienced team can protect you and put you in a position to win your case.
Reach out to us today by calling or completing our online contact form, and we can connect you with a Santa Clarita DUI lawyer who will assist with your case.
The Importance of Hiring a Third-Offense DUI Lawyer Serving Santa Clarita After an Arrest
When you’re facing a third DUI charge, the consequences are far more serious than with a first or second offense. At this stage, the court may view you as a habitual offender, and the prosecution may push for the harshest penalties allowed.
Having a knowledgeable third-offense DUI attorney in Santa Clarita on your side can make a substantial difference in how your case is resolved. An experienced lawyer will investigate your situation to determine what happened and begin to build a defense based on the specific details of your case.
The approach your attorney will take when crafting arguments to use in your defense will depend on the particulars of your circumstances. Crucially, they will tailor your defense to help achieve the best possible outcome.
Penalties for a Third DUI in Santa Clarita
If you’re convicted of a third DUI in California within 10 years of your previous convictions, you could face:
- Fines: Ranging from $2,500 to $3,000
- Mandatory jail time: Often ranging from 120 days to one year (although this sentence can be extended in some cases)
- Driver’s license suspension: Up to three years
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID): Device installed on all vehicles you own or operate
- Enrollment in a multi–year DUI education program: 30-month program
- Designation as a habitual traffic offender: Designated by the DMV
These penalties are significantly higher than those leveled against an individual convicted of a first-offense DUI. Keep in mind that aggravating factors, including excessive speed, having a child in the vehicle, or causing injury, can significantly increase the penalties you will face for a conviction.
Other Long-Term Impacts of a DUI Conviction
A third DUI doesn’t just affect your legal record. It can also create lasting barriers in multiple areas of life. Understanding the full ramifications of a conviction is important when deciding whether to take a plea deal or go to court.
Employment Challenges
Many employers conduct background checks during the hiring process. Having a DUI conviction on your record, especially a third-offense, can make you a less attractive candidate and may disqualify you from certain professions altogether, particularly those that require driving or a clean legal record.
Higher Insurance Rates
Auto insurers often consider multiple DUI offenses to be a major risk factor, which can lead to extremely high premiums. Alternatively, your insurance provider may end up dropping you altogether.
Education and Professional Licensing
A third DUI may impact your ability to pursue higher education or maintain professional certifications or licenses, especially in fields like healthcare, law, or education.
Refusal to Take a Chemical Test
In California, refusing to submit to a breathalyzer or chemical test can lead to automatic penalties under the state’s “implied consent” law. For a third offense, refusal may result in a longer license revocation and enhanced jail time, even if the DUI charge doesn’t result in a conviction.
However, it is important to understand that this law only applies after an arrest. You still have the right to refuse to take a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test before you have been arrested.
Can You Negotiate a Plea Deal?
In some situations, the evidence might make it difficult to avoid a conviction altogether. In these cases, a knowledgeable third-offense DUI attorney serving Santa Clarita may be able to negotiate a plea deal on your behalf. Often, a plea deal will mean pleading guilty to a lesser charge, such as reckless driving (wet reckless).
This option can help reduce the severity of the penalties and avoid mandatory sentencing enhancements. However, outcomes vary by case and jurisdiction.
Possible Defenses Against a Third DUI Charge
Even for a third-offense DUI charge, you still have rights and potential defenses. A skilled attorney may be able to challenge:
- The legality of the traffic stop: Police have to have probable cause to stop drivers. If there was no probable cause for your stop, your arrest may have been unlawful.
- The accuracy of chemical tests: Chemical testing has been proven time and again to be unreliable. Human error and equipment malfunctions are common and can lead to false results.
- The handling of your arrest or booking: If your rights were violated at any point during your arrest or booking, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped.
Depending on the specific details of your situation, these defenses could lead to reduced charges or even an outright dismissal of the charges against you.
Get Help From an Experienced Third-Offense DUI Attorney in Santa Clarita Today
Being charged with a third DUI is serious, but help is available. Consulting a defense attorney with experience handling repeat DUI cases in Santa Clarita can give you a clearer picture of your legal options and what you can do to protect your future.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can help connect you with a lawyer who can help with your case. If you’re ready to take the first step in building your defense, reach out today to get started. Taking early action is critical for protecting your rights and helping to avoid a conviction.
