Sylmar DUI Attorney

You need serious representation when charged with a DUI. Courts are not lenient with DUI offenders and will impose jail time, revoke your license, fine you, order mandatory attendance at DUI classes, and possibly order installation of an interlock ignition system on your car. Costs for even first-time offenders can be thousands of dollars. Call a Sylmar DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 for the experienced representation your case needs.
Sylmar DUI attorneys regularly represent DUI clients in court and have years of litigation experience. Sylmar DUI attorneys present formidable challenges to prosecutors and give their clients the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.

Overview of DUI Proceedings

  • You have a better chance for a satisfactory result if you promptly hire a Sylmar DUI attorney and have him or her appear with you at all DUI proceedings.

  • DMV hearing. All offenders are entitled to a license revocation hearing so long as it is requested within 10-days of your arrest. Sylmar DUI attorneys are highly experienced in these hearings and have avoided license revocations for many clients.

  • Arraignment. A brief court appearance with your Sylmar DUI attorney to plead not guilty and, in most cases, allow for your Sylmar DUI attorney to obtain the complaint and police report.

  • Pretrial discovery. Your Sylmar DUI attorney digs into the facts of your case and obtains any further evidence from the prosecutor. Most cases are resolved by Sylmar DUI lawyers who arrange for plea agreements.

  • Trial. Not all cases are resolved by plea bargain. If not, your Sylmar DUI lawyer will defend you at trial.

DUI Defenses

Sylmar DUI lawyers raise successful defenses because of their knowledge of the DUI laws, police practices and procedures, and the factors affecting the breath and blood test. A Sylmar DUI lawyer will carefully review certain key issues found in many DUI cases to see what defenses can be used:

  • Possible police misconduct

  • Whether 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 Sylmar 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.

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 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 Sylmar DUI Lawyer

If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Sylmar DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.

Sylmar CA 91342
(888) 754-9860