In California, the charges for a matter related to drunk driving are taken very seriously. If you are facing charges for drunk driving, it is important to get legal protection. At Martinian Lawyers, our Los Angeles DUI attorneys have more than 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of individuals faced with serious charges. You need an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney on your side.
Discuss your situation in a free consultation today!
Penalties for Drunk Driving in CA
Penalties can include license suspension, heavy fines, and in some cases jail or prison. California DUI laws have many facets. For instance, a drunk driving arrest will immediately create two separate cases against you. Not only will you face criminal charges in the California court system, but you will also be required to bring your case before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Attorneys at our firm can help if you have recently been arrested for drunk driving, so do not hesitate to get in touch with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at the firm.
The DMV Hearing
There are two ways that a California court may convict you of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they are based on two separate statutes. The first considers whether the driver was unable to drive their car with the same caution that a sober person would exhibit under the same or similar circumstances. The second, referred to as a “per se” charge, focuses on whether the driver’s blood-alcohol level was at .08% or higher, regardless of how the driver was performing behind the wheel or how he/she performed during the field sobriety test that was conducted by the law enforcement officer that pulled them over. It is important to remember that, regardless of the grounds on which you were charged, from the date of arrest for DUI you have only ten days to contact the DMV to request a hearing. If your request is not lodged within this time frame, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended.
Looking for a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer to Handle Your Case?
At our firm, our Los Angeles DUI lawyers are fully committed to helping our clients protect their legal rights – including in the DMV hearing. While a DUI may seem like a relatively minor offense, the penalties for a conviction may have a serious impact on your life. Long-term consequences can include much higher insurance rates and difficulty in qualifying for certain types of employment.
Let our firm help you avoid these consequences by contacting a Los Angeles DUI attorney today.
