Warner Center DUI Attorney
A DUI carries certain penalties and costs but these vary depending on the seriousness of the matter and if you have prior offenses. If you plead guilty, do not expect much leniency, if any, from the court as a DUI is considered one of the more serious misdemeanors. If you have been charged with a DUI, immediately call a Warner Center DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860.
A prior offense can entail months of incarceration and years with no driver’s license. You must find alternate modes of transportation, ways to pay the enormous costs and expenses, and deal with a criminal record. With so much at risk, you need quality representation from a Warner Center DUI attorney.
Summary of DUI Proceedings
If charged with DUI, you can challenge the looming revocation of your license before the DMV if you request the hearing no later than 10-days following your arrest. Promptly retain a Warner Center DUI attorney to handle this for you.
DUI proceedings involve:
DMV hearing. Warner Center DUI attorneys routinely handle these hearings and have been successful many times in DMV rulings.
Held shortly after your arrest in most instances, you appear with your Warner Center DUI attorney to enter a not guilty plea.
Discovery and investigation. Your Warner Center DUI attorney conducts an investigation of your case and requests information and evidence from the prosecutor. Warner Center DUI attorneys usually negotiate plea arrangements before trial.
If no plea agreement is reached, your Warner Center DUI attorney is fully prepared to defend you at trial.
Defenses in DUI Cases
Warner Center DUI lawyers will often focus on these issues in forming one or more defenses in your case:
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 Warner Center DUI lawyer
In many cases, Warner Center DUI lawyers are able to spot defenses or issues commonly missed by other attorneys.
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:
Jai 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 Classe 18 to 30-months
5. 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 a Warner Center 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 Warner Center 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 Warner Center DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Warner Center DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.