Being arrested for a DUI can lead to criminal charges that, if convicted, may result in huge fines, license suspension, and significant prison time. These charges are some of the most complicated and serious. Don’t try to handle them without adequate legal representation from the best Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
If you were arrested in Tustin for a DUI, you need a plan to protect yourself. You might think that state prosecutors have an open-and-shut case against you, but you’d be surprised. For the sake of your freedom and your entire future, you need to speak with an experienced Tustin DUI attorney.
What Happens Immediately After Your Arrest
Your license will be suspended almost immediately unless you take action quickly. This is known as an “administrative suspension” that kicks in automatically without intervention.
If you can, this is the first action to take. It’s much easier to deal with the rest of the process if you aren’t stuck looking for alternate transportation options along the way.
What Are the Penalties for a DUI in Tustin?
Drunk driving offenses are serious. The penalties for a DUI in Southern California are harsh, and you can be dealing with severe consequences for months or even years if things don’t go your way.
If you’re convicted of DUI in Tustin or any area of California, you can face any of the following penalties:
- License suspension
- Thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and court costs
- Jail time
- Mandatory treatment or education programs (at your own cost)
- Mandatory hours, days, or months of community service time
- Limited driving privileges
Various Factors Can Impact DUI Penalties
The penalties you can face for DUI depend on factors like:
- Whether this is your first DUI offense or not
- How strict the judge is
- Whether or not anyone was hurt or killed
These are the minimum penalties for each stage of a DUI offense, assuming no one was injured or killed. To have the best chance of reducing or avoiding these penalties, reach out to an experienced DUI attorney in Tustin today.
DUI Minimum Penalties for First Offense
For a first offense, you can expect:
- Minimum fine of $390 plus other assessment fines, all totaling about $1800 in fines and other costs
- Driver’s license suspension for a minimum of four months (including a 30-day minimum from the DMV and a 90-day minimum for criminal penalties), but this can often extend to longer
- 48 hours of jail time (can be waived, but it will increase license suspension by 90 days)
- Mandatory three-month alcohol treatment program for $500
DUI Minimum Penalties for Second Offense
After already having a previous charge on your record, minimum penalties include:
- Same amount of fines and costs as a first offense
- Driver’s license suspension for at least one year plus restricted driving for two more years
- 96 hours of jail time
- Mandatory completion of alcohol treatment program for $1,800
- Required ignition interlock device installation on all of your vehicles at your own cost
DUI Minimum Penalties for Third Offense
With three offenses, minimum penalties are expensive, lengthy, and more damaging to your reputation. These include:
- Same amount of fines and costs as the first offense ($1,800 minimum)
- Complete revocation of driver’s license for at least three years—or at least four years for a fourth offense
- 120 days of jail time for a third offense or 180 days for a fourth offense
- Mandatory 30-month alcohol treatment program, costing $1,800
Is Winning a DUI Case Possible?
While a DUI case is tough, they are winnable. Don’t assume you have a helpless case; speak with a Tustin DUI defense attorney who can assess the full situation and look for weak spots you might not be aware were there. Experienced criminal defense attorneys successfully win DUI cases for their clients every day.
Here are some examples of ways your DUI case could come out favorable for you:
- Reduced charges: Your criminal lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to strike a deal. Typically, the prosecution will agree to reduce charges against you. If things go well, the charges can get changed from “DUI” to “reckless driving,” which brings much lighter penalties.
- Case is dismissed, or charges are dropped: If your lawyer can show there isn’t enough evidence, they negotiate well, or even if the prosecutors don’t take your case, it can be dismissed. You won’t have to go to court and nothing goes on your record.
- You get acquitted: Acquittal means walking away free or being found “not guilty” of the crime. If you go to trial, this is the ideal outcome and often results from your lawyer proving some evidence against you isn’t valid in court.
Even when a case can’t be completely won, there are usually ways to pursue lighter penalties or reduce charges. The best way to know is to work with an experienced lawyer.
Possible Defense Approaches From Your Tustin DUI Lawyer
There are certain aspects of DUI defense strategies many experienced attorneys use that are performed in all DUI clients’ cases, such as investigating:
- The probable cause for your arrest
- All recordings from both police vehicle dash and officer body cam
- Whether the arresting police officer complied with the California Code under Title 17 during the investigation
- Records for the breath test instrument used, including its log of uses and maintenance
Your DUI lawyer in Tustin can also subpoena the arresting officer and/or lab technician for cross-examination at your DMV APS hearing.
This investigation and attention to detail are necessary elements for ensuring weaknesses are identified for use in either plea negotiations with prosecutors or a jury trial.
Get a Free Consultation With Experienced Tustin DUI Lawyers
Facing criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be one of the most stressful experiences you will face. Don’t make matters worse by trying to handle your case alone. There is a very real threat of time behind bars, loss of license to drive, hefty fines, and additional penalties.
When you contact us, we start working right away to pair you with a skilled attorney for your needs. We know every case is different, so we maintain a connection with some of the best lawyers who know the DUI process.
They’ll take on your case, starting with a FREE consultation, with the aim of getting you reduced charges, or even having them dismissed completely.
