Northridge DUI Attorney
When confronted with the consequences of a DUI conviction, call a Northridge DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860.
Consider the penalties for a first-offender:
2-days in jail and up to 6-months or more if an injury occurred or other aggravating circumstances
Loss of driver’s license for up to 10-months
Fine of $390
3-months of attendance at DUI classes
Purchase of costly SR-1 insurance
Probation of 3-5 years
Costs and expenses of over $10,000
A Northridge DUI attorney will assess your case and discuss available defenses. Northridge DUI attorneys represent primarily DUI clients and have been litigating and negotiating DUI cases for years
Overview of DUI Proceedings
An additional element of DUI cases is the DMV hearing regarding your license revocation. Have your Northridge DUI attorney request and handle this hearing but it must be requested within 10-days of your arrest, so promptly retaining a Northridge DUI attorney is crucial.
DMV hearing. Northridge DUI attorneys routinely handle these hearings and in many cases have had the DMV restore their clients’ licenses.
Arraignment. The initial court appearance with your Northridge DUI attorney to plead not guilty
Pretrial discovery and investigation. Your Northridge DUI attorney gathers evidence from investigating your case and from the exchange of information with the prosecution. Many cases are resolved with plea bargaining at this stage.
Trial. If not resolved or the evidence is weak, your Northridge DUI lawyer will defend you at trial.
Defenses in DUI Cases
Northridge DUI lawyers use their knowledge of the DUI laws, police procedures and the science behind the breath and blood tests to determine the best defenses to use. Many DUI cases concern the following issues:
Possible police misconduct
If your medical or physical condition may have influenced 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 Northridge 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 Northridge 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 need Northridge DUI attorneys as they 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 Northridge DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Northridge DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.