SANTA MONICA DUI ATTORNEY

If considering what to do if charged with a DUI, call a Santa Monica DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860. You face multiple penalties if convicted with repercussions to your employment and other areas of your life that can last for years.

If you are a first offender, consider the penalties that are typically imposed:

• 2-days in jail but up to 6-months if you injured someone or had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test result well above 0.08%, among other aggravating circumstances

• A fine of $390 but up to $1000 in aggravated cases

• 3-years of probation

• Mandatory loss of your license for at least 4-months

• 3-months of DUI classes at a cost of $500

• Appreciable rise in your auto insurance premiums

• Possible installation of interlock system on your car–at your expense

Repeat offenders serve longer jail sentences and suffer loss of their license for years. Call a Santa Monica DUI attorney to discuss your options. A Santa Monica DUI attorney has the skills, knowledge and resources these difficult cases demand.

DUI Proceedings

Your first proceeding can be an administrative hearing before the DMV over your license suspension but it must be requested within 10-days of your arrest. Have your Santa Monica DUI attorney request and handle this for you.

The DUI process consists of these proceedings that your Santa Monica DUI attorney should handle:

• DMV hearing. A Santa Monica DUI attorney challenges probable cause and your BAC test

• Arraignment. A short court appearance with your Santa Monica DUI attorney where you enter a not guilty plea and future appearances are scheduled

• Pretrial. Before trial, your Santa Monica DUI attorney prepares your defense. Many times, your Santa Monica DUI lawyer will form defenses are based on police procedures and rights violations, influences and flaws regarding your BAC testing, and any errors, bias, and inconsistencies in police testimony, reports and records

• Trial. If no plea agreement can be reached, your Santa Monica DUI lawyer is fully prepared to try your case

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary, especially if aggravating circumstances were present, which your Santa Monica DUI lawyer will advise you on. Otherwise, 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-1 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 Classe 18 to 30-months
5. Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and Interlock ignition system

Third 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-1 insurance and interlock system

Fourth DUI or DWI

A fourth DWI or DWI could be negotiated to a misdemeanor.by your Gardena DUI lawyer. 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-1 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% so that their need for a Gardena DUI lawyer is imperative.

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

3. Fines. From $390 to $1000
4. DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders
5. Insurance and installation. Possible securing of SR-1 insurance and installation of an interlock system

Call a Santa Monica DUI Lawyer

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