San Fernando DUI Attorney
DON’T RISK YOUR LICENSE OR FREEDOM! OUR SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DUI ATTORNEYS FIGHT FOR YOU!
A DUI is serious business. The laws and penalties on drunk driving seem to be getting harsher each year. Call a San Fernando Valley DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 if you have been charged.
Costs of a DUI
First offenders are not off the hook. They are looking at:
2-days in jail unless there are aggravating circumstances
Loss of your driver’s license for up to 10-momths
A fine of $390 and up to $1000
3-month attendance at DUI class at your expense
3-5 years probation
Vastly increased auto insurance premiums
Administrative and other costs of thousands of dollars
It is imperative that you call a San Fernando Valley DUI attorney. A San Fernando Valley DUI attorney has the experience, knowledge and resources vital to a quality DUI defense.
Summary of DUI Proceedings
To curtail suspension of your driver’s license, request a hearing with the DMV within 10-days of your arrest. Your San Fernando Valley DUI attorney needs to handle this and all other proceedings or your risk loss of certain defenses or advantages.
DMV hearing. By challenging probable cause in your arrest and/or the results of your breath or blood test, San Fernando Valley DUI attorneys have enabled many clients to retain their licenses.
Arraignment. Usually held shortly after your arrest, you appear with your San Fernando Valley DUI attorney and enter a not guilty plea.
Pretrial. Information gathered from an investigation of your case and evidence from the prosecution will allow your San Fernando Valley DUI attorney to raise certain defenses. Many cases are plea bargained at this stage.
Trial. If no resolution, your San Fernando Valley DUI attorney will try your case.
Reasons to Hire a San Fernando Valley DUI Lawyer
Your San Fernando Valley DUI lawyer will usually scrutinze certain common issues that arise in DUI cases when determining the defenses to raise:
Possible police misconduct
Influence 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 San Fernando Valley 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 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 San Fernando Valley 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 San Fernando Valley 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 an San Fernando Valley DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a San Fernando Valley DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.