SOLANA BEACH DUI ATTORNEY

If charged with a DUI, you have choices to make. You could simply accept the suspension of your license, plead guilty to the charge and deal with the penalties and consequences of a DUI on your public record. A DUI conviction means jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, costs and increased insurance premiums, months attending DUI class and an adverse impact on your job and future.

Your other choice is to retain a Solana Beach DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860. In even the most hopeless cases, a Solana Beach DUI attorney has convinced prosecutors to amend charges to non-alcohol related offenses, and persuaded courts to dismiss charges and juries to acquit offenders.

Steps in a DUI Case

Your DUI case consists of an administrative hearing before the DMV and the criminal proceeding that your Solana Beach DUI attorney will handle. The stages of a DUI consist of:

• The DMV hearing. You have only 10 days to request a hearing or your license will be immediately suspended. Your Solana Beach DUI attorney can challenge probable cause in stopping, detaining and arresting you and whether your BAC results were 0.08%.
• Arraignment. Your Solana Beach DUI attorney will plead you not guilty and continue investigating your case.
• Trial preparation. Your Solana Beach DUI attorney can bring motions to contest probable cause, suppress evidence and others. A conference is also held with the prosecutor where your Solana Beach DUI attorney will try to negotiate a plea arrangement.
• Trial. If no plea agreement is reached, your Solana Beach DUI attorney is fully prepared to take your case to trial.

What a Solana Beach DUI Lawyer Will Do

A Solana Beach DUI lawyer, however, approaches each case with the same focus and intensity, concentrating on these major aspects involved in most DUI cases:

• Rights violations. Police have to follow certain procedures in stopping and detaining, questioning and arresting you or your case could be dismissed.
• Chemical test violations. There are dozens of ways to challenge a breath or blood test that your Solana Beach DUI lawyer can evaluate.
• Inconsistencies and errors in police reports, testimony and other evidence.

Police misconduct or a flawed procedure can cast doubt on guilt in even the most airtight case. An experienced Solana Beach DUI lawyer will exploit this to your advantage.

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary based on prior DUI convictions or if aggravating circumstances were present that your Solana Beach DUI lawyer will advise you on. Otherwise, these penalties typically are 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 Solana Beach DUI Lawyer

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