Facing a DUI charge in Santa Monica isn’t easy. It’s a serious offense that carries potential jail time, significant fines, and the loss of your driver’s license. Being charged with DUI haunts some people for years—but it doesn’t have to.
Just because you made one mistake doesn’t mean you should pay for it for the rest of your life. There are steps you can take to improve your situation and fight against your DUI.
The best way to do that is to have an experienced Santa Monica DUI lawyer help you through the legal process. With their help, you may be able to avoid jail time and even keep your license. DUI lawyers in Los Angeles can save their clients thousands of dollars in fines and might even be able to help you avoid DUI conviction entirely.
The Cost of a DUI in Santa Monica
DUIs are treated seriously in over 200 DUI arrests, and the authorities have taken an increasingly tough stance in prosecuting them. This is not just out of concern for public safety but also because DUIs generate revenue for the municipality.
The fines and fees for DUI charges have risen continuously, and a DUI can become very expensive very quickly.
California DUI penalties can be harsh for those unlucky enough to be charged with DUI. These penalties get worse with each successive DUI, but the penalties for a first-time DUI are as follows:
- Up to 6 months incarceration. If convicted, you will spend at least 48 hours in the county jail.
- Fines and fees of at least $1,800. This includes the $390 minimum fine, along with the various court fees. The total can reach far more than this.
- You may lose your driving privileges for at least several months and possibly over a year.
If you have any previous DUI convictions, additional penalties will be added. You could face additional time in county jail or fines up to $18,000. You could also end up in jail for a year or even be facing 16 months of prison time.
The court may also order you to attend an alcohol educational program that costs between $500 and $1,800. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. These costs multiply quickly.
However, a criminal defense attorney with experience handling DUI claims can work to mitigate these punishments and may be able to have your charges dismissed entirely.
What Happens After the Arrest?
When a local police officer arrests you for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, prescription drugs, or other substances. You’ll be jailed overnight, where you’ll be processed and released the following day
This is only the beginning of dealing with your drunk driving charge—the upcoming legal timeline is complex and involves several stages:
The DMV DUI Hearing
Your license will be confiscated upon arrest, and you’ll be provided with a temporary one. This temporary license is valid for only 30 days, after which it is automatically suspended. This is known as administrative or “per se” license suspension.
The only way to stop this process is to request a DMV DUI Hearing within 10 days of your arrest—very tight timelines that many defendants miss. A criminal defense lawyer with DUI experience can help you with this hearing.
The Arraignment
A preliminary hearing occurs a few weeks after your arrest. This is where you’ll enter your plea and find out an exact date for your trial. Your Santa Monica DUI lawyer will be able to advise you on the arraignment and start pressuring the prosecution to offer you a plea bargain that can help you avoid harsher penalties.
The Wait
Months can pass between the arraignment and the actual trial. They’ll use this time to put together the most robust defense possible. In some cases, they will put enough pressure on the prosecution that the case against you will be dropped.
The Trial
Many DUI cases never go to trial, but if you do go to trial, you have a chance to defend yourself. Your lawyer will put together a defense that aims to put doubt in the minds of the jury. They will also be present during jury selection to ensure no potential bias against your case.
Do You Need a DUI Lawyer?
All evidence is open to potential challenge, and your lawyer knows exactly how to weaken the case against you. There are several different strategies your lawyer will use to build your case:
Examine the arrest
Law enforcement officers are bound by strict protocols and procedures. They sometimes slip up, violating the rights of the people they arrest. If your lawyer can demonstrate that this is the case the charges against you may fall apart.
Challenging the Evidence Against You
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)and breathalyzer tests can be subject to error. Machines are not perfect, and lab technicians make mistakes. Your lawyer can subpoena data from a breath test machine or testing history from a blood test lab and look for irregularities. The evidence could be thrown out.
Sleuthing
Your Santa Monica DUI lawyer will review the witness reports and testimonies of the arresting officers. Any inconsistencies or factual errors will be obvious to an experienced eye and might be used to discredit the prosecution’s case.
Negotiation
Prosecutors are busy people. If your lawyer can make your defense look strong enough, they might be open to cutting a favorable plea deal.
These tactics used together can really turn your case around. You might win your case outright, or you may have your charges downgraded. Your case could join the countless DUIs that end up in acquittal each year.
You Are Not Guilty Unless Proven Guilty
From the moment of your DUI arrest, deadlines are already looming to challenge your license suspension, subpoena evidence, and pressure the prosecution to drop your case. The best thing you can do is hire an experienced Santa Monica DUI attorney and fight every step of the way.
Doing so could save you money on fines, reduce the penalties you face, or end with a Not Guilty verdict. Our service exists to connect you to the best DUI lawyers in Santa Monica.
Your lawyer will offer a FREE consultation and let you choose how to proceed. Don’t wait until the day of your trial. Contact Los Angeles DUI Attorneys and begin securing your legal defense today.
