Mission Hills DUI Attorney
Don’t consider a DUI charge to be evidence of guilt. Many DUI cases are entirely defensible or can be negotiated to a favorable resolution. Call a Mission Hills DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860.
Mission Hills DUI attorneys have years of experience in principally representing clients facing their first or fourth DUI and have been successful in even the most seemingly air-tight cases. A Mission Hills DUI attorney has up-to-date knowledge of the DUI laws, police procedures, and factors affecting the breath or blood test that is essential in these cases.
Summary of DUI Proceedings
DUI cases involve an administrative hearing regarding license revocation, if timely requested, and your various criminal appearances. Be sure to promptly retain a Mission Hills DUI attorney to represent you as early as possible.
DMV hearing. Your Mission Hills DUI attorney can represent you at this hearing provided it is requested within 10-days of your arrest. In many cases, a Mission Hills DUI attorneys have prevailed and clients able to avoid license revocation.
Arraignment. The initial court appearance with your Mission Hills DUI attorney to enter a not guilty plea.
Pretrial. Your Mission Hills DUI attorney uses evidence obtained from the prosecutor and information from investigating your case to build various defenses. Your Mission Hills DUI lawyer will also attempt to negotiate a favorable resolution.
Trial. Your Mission Hills DUI lawyer will defend you at trial if no plea agreement is reached.
DUI Defenses
By scrutinizing certain issues that are seen in many DUI cases, your Mission Hills DUI lawyer can present one or more defenses to negotiate a settlement, make certain motions or defend you them at trial. These defenses are based on:
Possible police misconduct
Influences of your medical or physical condition on your arrest and BAC results
Validity and integrity of the breath or blood tests
Bias, inconsistencies or errors in police testimony, records and reports
No driving, drinking after driving and other defenses found by your Mission Hills DUI lawyer
DUI Penalties
DUI sentences vary from county to county, especially if aggravating circumstances were present. There are separate penalties for a first, second, third and felony convictions. These penalties are typically imposed:
First DUI or DWI
The usual penalties for a first DUI or DWI are:
Jail. 48 hours in jail and up to 6-months; 3-years of probation
Suspension of license. Loss of driving privileges for 4 to 10-months though you may be eligible for a restricted license; if BAC testing was refused, the suspension is one year
Fines: $390 with costs over $1,800
DUI classes: 3-months
Insurance and installation: Secure SR-22 insurance and possibly install an interlock ignition system
Second DUI or DWI
Penalties for a second DUI or DWI within 10 years of the first include:
Jail. 96 hours and up to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
Suspension of license. 2-year suspension with eligibility for restricted license unless testing was refused.
Fines: $390 to $1000 but over $10,000 in costs
DUI Classes. 18 to 30-months
Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and Interlock ignition system
Third Second DUI or DWI
Conviction of a third DUI or DWI in 10 years may include:
Jail. 120 days to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
Suspension of license. 3-years with restricted license after 12-months
Fines: $390 to $1000 and other costs up to $15,000
DUI classes. 30-months
Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and interlock system
Fourth DUI or DWI
A fourth DWI or DWI is a felony, but it could be negotiated to a misdemeanor by your Mission Hills DUI lawyer.
If a felony, you face:
Jail. 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and formal probation for up to 5 years
Suspension of license: 4-years
Fines: Up to $5000 with associated costs of up to $18,000
Habitual traffic offender status. 3 years
Mandatory DUI classes. 30-months
Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and interlock system
Commercial DUI or DWI
Commercial drivers can be convicted of a commercial DUI or DWI if their BAC is 0.04%.
Penalties include:
Jail. Same as for a motorist with a Class C license for first or multiple DUI or DWI offenses
Driver’s license suspension.
Loss of commercial driver’s license for one year, regardless of the vehicle you were driving
Life-time suspension for a second conviction
Your Class C license is also affected
Fines. From $390 to $1000
DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders
Insurance and installation. Securing of SR-22 insurance and possible installation of an interlock system
Call a Mission Hills DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Mission Hills DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.