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:

  1. Jail. 48 hours in jail and up to 6-months; 3-years of probation

  2. 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

  3. Fines: $390 with costs over $1,800

  4. DUI classes: 3-months

  5. 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:

  1. Jail. 96 hours and up to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation

  2. Suspension of license. 2-year suspension with eligibility for restricted license unless testing was refused.

  3. Fines: $390 to $1000 but over $10,000 in costs

  4. DUI Classes. 18 to 30-months

  5. 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:

  1. Jail. 120 days to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation

  2. Suspension of license. 3-years with restricted license after 12-months

  3. Fines: $390 to $1000 and other costs up to $15,000

  4. DUI classes. 30-months

  5. 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:

  1. Jail. 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and formal probation for up to 5 years

  2. Suspension of license: 4-years

  3. Fines: Up to $5000 with associated costs of up to $18,000

  4. Habitual traffic offender status. 3 years

  5. Mandatory DUI classes. 30-months

  6. 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:

  1. Jail. Same as for a motorist with a Class C license for first or multiple DUI or DWI offenses

  2. 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

  1. Fines. From $390 to $1000

  2. DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders

  3. 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.

Northridge CA 91324
(888) 754-9860