Valley Glen DUI Attorney
A DUI charge carries significant penalties and long-lasting repercussions if convicted. If you are facing a DUI, call a Valley Glen DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860.
If convicted of a DUI, your license will be revoked for up to 10-months for first offenders and years for repeat offenders. Jail time is a reality, as is a stiff fine, prolonged attendance at DUI classes, and court and other costs of thousands of dollars. Talk to a Valley Glen DUI attorney about your case and how quality legal representation can benefit you.
Summary of the DUI Process
It is essential that you talk to and retain a Valley Glen DUI attorney as soon as possible, since there are very short time lines that, if missed, could prevent you from enjoying certain advantages. The DUI process consists of these proceedings:
DMV hearing. You are entitled to a license revocation hearing before the DMV but only if you request it within 10-days after your arrest. Have your Valley Glen DUI attorney handle this hearing. In many cases, Valley Glen DUI attorneys have prevailed and avoided license revocations for clients in many instances.
Arraignment. You appear with your Valley Glen DUI attorney to enter a not guilty plea. Usually, your Valley Glen DUI attorney will obtain copies of the criminal complaint and police report.
Pretrial stage. Before trial, your Valley Glen DUI lawyer will exchange information with the prosecutor and investigate your case. Valley Glen DUI lawyers often negotiate plea agreements at this stage.
Trial. If no plea agreement is reached, then your Valley Glen DUI lawyer will defend you at trial.
DUI Defenses cases
Valley Glen DUI lawyers are able to present strong defenses because of their intimate knowledge of DUI laws, police practices and procedures, and how the breath or blood test results can be influenced by certain factors. The following key points are explored in many cases by Valley Glen DUI lawyers:
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 Valley Glen 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 a Valley Glen 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 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 Valley Glen DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Valley Glen DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.