WHITTIER DUI ATTORNEY

Being arrested and charged with a DUI is shocking enough, but you need to immediately call a Whittier DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860. You only have 10-days to request a license revocation hearing before the DMV and your arraignment or initial court appearance will be just days away in most cases.

A DUI conviction carries harsh penalties and has lasting consequences. It can cost you thousands of dollars in fines and costs including expenses for attending DUI classes, vastly increased auto insurance premiums and possible installation of an ignition interlock system on your car. You will also have a criminal record accessible to anyone conducting a background check.

Call a Whittier DUI attorney now to get the professional and dedicated representation you need.

Proceedings in DUI Cases

A DUI case includes an administrative proceeding before the DMV, if timely requested, and various criminal appearances and stages. A Whittier DUI attorney should be handling all of these.

• DMV hearing. This hearing to contest the revocation of your license is waived unless requested within 10-days of your arrest. Your Whittier DUI attorney will raise various issues and fight to keep your license from being suspended.

• Arraignment. The initial criminal court appearance with your Whittier DUI attorney where you plead not guilty. A pretrial conference is scheduled by the court.

• Pretrial. Stage where your Whittier DUI attorney exchanges information with the prosecutor and your Whittier DUI attorney may bring various motions to dismiss charges or exclude evidence, among others. A plea agreement may be negotiated before trial.

• Trial. If no plea agreement is reached, your Whittier DUI attorney will vigorously defend you at trial.

Defenses in DUI Cases

Your Whittier DUI lawyer will work on your defense while investigating the facts and circumstances of your case. In most DUI cases, a Whittier DUI lawyer will look at certain scenarios that could lead to dismissal of charges, reasonable doubt or a satisfactory plea agreement. These include:

• Police misconduct

• The influence your medical or physical condition had on your arrest and chemical test results

• Other factors that challenge the integrity of your breath or blood test and the validity of the results

• Bias, inconsistencies, and errors in police testimony, reports and records

Penalties in DUI Cases

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

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