DUI
lawyers Southern California specialize in handling DUI cases so they keep up
on all of the latest developments in the field. If new information becomes
available in the area of DUI defense, your attorney will be one of the first
to know. Attorneys who specialize in DUI defense also have contact with many
experts who can serve as witnesses during criminal trials or provide
additional information that can help you win your face. DUI lawyers Southern
California can help you to have a positive outcome at the close of your DUI
case.
DUI
Lawyers Southern California & California DUI Cases
In
California, there are two parts to DUI cases. Knowing the two parts is
important because they can affect how the prosecutor in the case chooses to
proceed. If the prosecutor decides to handle your case based on your
impairment, s/he may introduce testimony from law enforcement officers and
other witnesses. The purpose of the testimony will be to show that you were
too physically impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle at the time of your
arrest. Testimony may be given about your driving habits, behavior at the time
of arrest, physical appearance, and performance on field sobriety tests. The
other way a prosecutor can handle the case against you is by focusing on the
results of any chemical testing that was performed on the day of your arrest.
If your blood alcohol meets or exceeds California’s legal limit of 0.08%,
the prosecutor can show that you were guilty of driving under the influence.
Chemical testing can be complicated to understand, so having DUI lawyers
Southern California on your team can help you to defend yourself against the
charges if the prosecutor chooses to focus on chemical test results.
DUI
Lawyers Southern California & DUI Driving Penalties
Driving
under the influence in the state of California will result in the suspension
of your driver’s license before your criminal trial even takes place.
California does allow you to appeal the suspension so that you can continue
driving to work and other places while you wait for your trial. Having DUI
lawyers Southern California to represent you during the DMV hearing can make
the difference between getting your driving privileges reinstated and having
to serve out the remainder of your suspension period. Your attorney can speak
on your behalf and let hearing officers know how important your driving
privileges are for keeping your job and meeting the obligations of your life.
DUI
Lawyers Southern California & Criminal Penalties for DUI
There
are a number of criminal penalties that can be imposed on people who have been
convicted of driving under the influence. Many factors are taken into account
before these penalties are levied against offenders. Your history, community
involvement, prior DUI offenses, criminal record, and other circumstances will
be considered by the judge in your case. Your first convicted can cause you to
be sentenced to up to six months in jail, license suspension for six months,
and fines of $390 to $1,000. If you are convicted of a second offense within a
ten-year period, you can be sentenced to license suspension for two years, 90
days in jail, and fines of $390 to $1,000. Your third offense is more serious
and can result in sentencing of license suspension for three years, 120 days
to one year in jail, and fines of $390 to $1,000. In California, a fourth DUI
is treated as a felony and the penalties increase accordingly. They include
license revocation for four years, two to three years in prison, or fines of
$390 to $1,000.
Having
DUI Lawyers Southern California available to represent you during your
criminal trial and any administrative proceedings you may face is extremely
important. If you want to have a chance of winning your case, hire a qualified
attorney to represent you. You’ll have access to expert witnesses and a
legal professional who specializes in DUI defense to speak on your behalf and
work to help you defend yourself successfully against driving under the
influence charges.
By
Michael Tasner
I-California
DUI Lawyers.com