WEST COVINA DUI ATTORNEY

When you consider the consequences of a DUI conviction, you will want to call a West Covina DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860.

If convicted of a DUI, you face jail time with repeat offenders being subject to mandatory minimum jail sentences. First offenders have their driver’s license suspended for a minimum of 4-months. Fines range from $390 to $1000 but your costs can be in the thousands of dollars for increased auto insurance rates, payment for DUI classes and possible installation of an interlock system for your car, also at your expense.

You have choices and a fighting chance for a satisfactory outcome. Call a West Covina DUI attorney. A West Covina DUI attorney has years of experience from handling primarily DUI cases as well as the skills, knowledge and resources to properly defend you.

Proceedings in DUI Cases

All proceedings in your DUI case should be handled by a West Covina DUI attorney. Don’t hesitate to retain a West Covina DUI attorney since there are short time lines in many DUI cases.

• DMV hearing. With only 10-days to request a license suspension hearing with the DMV, have your West Covina DUI attorney draft the request and handle the hearing. In many cases, clients are able to retain their licenses.

• Arraignment. The first criminal court appearance with your West Covina DUI attorney where you enter a not guilty plea. The court will schedule future appearances.

• Pretrial. Information is exchanged with the prosecutor and your West Covina DUI attorney may file various motions to dismiss, exclude evidence and others. A plea agreement may be negotiated by your West Covina DUI lawyer.

• Trial. Should not plea agreement be reached, your West Covina DUI lawyer will try your case.

Defenses in DUI Cases

Your West Covina DUI lawyer works diligently to build a defense in your case based on a thorough investigation. In many DUI cases, a West Covina DUI lawyer will uncover one or more defenses regarding these issues:

• Police misconduct during your stop, questioning and arrest

• If your medical or physical condition influenced your arrest and/or chemical test results

• Challenges to the integrity of the breath or blood test results and factors influencing the results

• Inconsistencies, bias and errors in police testimony, reports and records

There may be other defenses that your West Covina DUI lawyer may uncover in your particular case.

Penalties in DUI Cases

DUI sentences vary, especially if aggravating circumstances were present, which your West Covina 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 West Covina DUI Lawyer

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