Panorama City DUI Attorney
A DUI charge often appears air-tight but many will not hold up to legal scrutiny, provided you have an experienced Panorama City DUI attorney as your legal counsel. Call a Panorama CIty DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 if you are facing DUI charges.
Panorama City DUI attorneys have spent years representing countless DUI clients in the most difficult cases and have attained an impressive record of dismissals, acquittals and reduced charges. Promptly retain a Panorama City DUI attorney since you have very short timelines in DUI cases.
Proceedings in DUI Cases
DMV hearing. The first proceeding is the license revocation hearing before the DMV but this is waived unless it is requested within 10-days of your arrest. Panorama City DUI attorneys routinely handle these hearings and have prevailed in many instances, allowing offenders to retain their licenses.
Arraignment. You will plead not guilty at this first court appearance with your Panorama DUI attorney at your side.
Pretrial discovery and investigation. Panorama DUI attorneys exchange information with the prosecution and conduct a thorough investigation of your case that may lead to a dismissal or exclusion of evidence via pretrial motions. Many DUI cases are plea bargained at this stage
Trial. If no resolution, your Panorama DUI attorney is fully prepared to defend you at trial.
What are the Defenses in DUI Cases?
A defense is based on preparation and an in-depth investigation by your Panorama DUI lawyer. Panorama DUI lawyers pride themselves on keeping abreast of the DUI laws, trends, police procedures, service and maintenance issues of breath testing devices and factors that influence the results of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests.
Many defenses are based on these key 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 Panorama 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 Panorama City 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 a Panorama City DUI lawyer 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 Panorama City DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Panorama City DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.