Los Angeles DUI Lawyers
- Marks & Brooklier:
Being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a very serious matter that requires immediate handling if you are to preserve your driving privilege. If arrested, you are at risk of losing your license, and possibly even going to jail. Law enforcement officers in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas are continually watching out for erratic behavior on the part of drivers. If they suspect for some reason that you are inebriated, they have the right to pull you over. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds .08% in California, you are considered to be driving under the influence. Because individuals with a BAC over that limit normally have impaired functions and can lose concentration and alertness while driving, this limit was established to protect the general population from drunk drivers who at greater risk of being involved in an accident. If you have been charged with drunk driving, it is essential you obtain the services of a qualified DUI/Drunk Driving Attorney in the Los Angeles or Beverly Hills area to represent you against these charges.
Because of the severity of possible consequences from drunk driving, which could injure and kills others, California State laws provide harsh penalties for violators. These penalties may generally include jail time and steep fines, as well as suspension of your driver's license.There is a set procedure law enforcement follows when stopping you for suspected drunk driving, which includes a field sobriety test, such as walking in a straight line or counting backwards. You are also given a breathalyzer test at the police station, which will measure your BAC exactly. If it measured over the legal limit, you would be arrested at that point. Refusing a BAC test can result in automatic suspension of your license in addition to increased penalties.
- Caplan, Sara:
* Probation Violation
* Assault
* Battery
* Sex Related Offenses
* Homicide
* Dui Dwi
* Traffic
* Forgery
* Shoplifting
* Theft
* Armed Robbery
* Robbery
* Burglary
* Illegal Drugs
* Drugs
* Immigration
* Professional Administrative Hearings
* Firearms Violations
* White Collar Crimes
* Other Offenses
- Rushakoff, Aniko:
Dui - Drunk Driving Attorney
Larceny Theft Attorney
Burglary Attorney
Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney
Aggravated Assault Attorney
Drug Charges Attorney
First Time Offense Attorney
Fraud Attorney
Traffic Violations Attorney
Juvenile Defense Attorney
Identity Theft Attorney
Sex Crimes Attorney
Domestic Violence Attorney
Misdemeanor Attorney
- Spertus, James:
In California, police have the authority to pull you over for any driving violation. At a traffic stop, all it takes is a sniff of alcohol on your breath and you can be facing a field sobriety test and an arrest for DUI or DWI. If arrested, your license will be automatically suspended by the DMV unless you request a stay of those parallel administrative proceedings within 10 days of arrest. You cannot delay retaining counsel or you will lose valuable rights.
If you or someone in your family has been charged with a DUI or DWI, don't assume that the problem will go away by quickly pleading guilty. A plea bargain is a misdemeanor criminal conviction that may cost you more than the prosecutor tells you in court. You may be facing jail time, a heavy fine and the loss of your driver's license for years.
From the moment you are pulled over, there are so many variables that prosecutors often get wrong:
Probable cause: On what legal grounds did the police make the initial traffic stop?
The field sobriety test: Did the police officer follow the required procedures?
The breath test or blood test: Was the test equipment calibrated right? Were the samples handled according to strict regulations?
Your Constitutional rights: Were you afforded your constitutional rights throughout the process?
... challenge everything about the government's case and force the prosecutor to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt.
It Could Cost You Plenty to Accept a Plea Bargain
Accepting a plea agreement may seem like the easy thing to do, but the fact is that the consequences of a plea can be very expensive without the right counsel. You could face license suspension hearings, fines, costs associated with required classes and other court processes. Through it all, you will be treated like a guilty party Ñ because you admitted to guilt. Contact us immediately for a free consultation about DUI and DWI defense strategies.
DMV Hearing to Keep Your Driver's License
You will only have 10 days after arrest to request a stay of suspension hearings while your criminal case is pending. If you do not request and obtain the stay, your license will be suspended automatically by the DMV.
- Zlotnick, Arna:
* Arson
* Assault and Battery
* Assault with a Deadly Weapon
* Bench Warrants
* Drunk in Public
* Burglary
* Carjacking
* Child Abuse
* Clearing Criminal Records
* Criminal Threats
* Domestic Violence
* Drug Possession
* DUI/Drunk Driving
* Embezzlement
* Extortion
* Fraud
* Guns & Weapons
* Grand Theft
* Hit & Run
- Agege, Charles:
drug crimes, including drug possession, search and seizure, marijuana possession, felonies, misdemeanors, state and federal crimes, drunk-driving defense, white collar crimes, sex crimes, and lewd conduct
- William Grayson:
If you are charged with any DUI crime, you will need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you.
- Tony Seyfi: My Breath
Test showed I was over the limit. Should I go ahead and plead guilty to
D.U.I.?
No. Your attorney may obtain the breath machine calibration records and
results. Your blood alcohol content may turn out to be below the legal
limit or on the border line considering the margin of error and the
calibration errors, because the machine used may not have been properly
functioning at the time your test was given or analyzed. You may need
the services of a forensic toxicologist to show contradict the breath
tests. D.U.I. CHEMICAL TESTING
In California, upon a D.U.I. arrest, the officer inquires whether the driver would consent to chemical testing to determine the alcohol concentration of his or her blood. You should know that you could refuse to submit to this test. However, you must also know that the California Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend your driverÕs license for one year if you refuse the test. You could lose your license for two years for refusal on a second D.U.I.
Blood Tests
If you are prepared to take the test, you may take a blood test. Blood test is usually performed near the time of the arrest by a registered nurse at a hospital. Your defense attorney could challenge the blood test result using various techniques and arguments. Sometimes, the person administering the test is not a certified or qualified individual. Also, the blood result could be questioned if the blood was contaminated or was not properly preserved or stored with sufficient preservatives. The blood vial or its chain of custody could also be lost. The advantage of choosing a blood test is that your attorney could request a sample of your blood for independent testing by a preferred forensic lab. This test result may be below the legal limit as compared to the one conducted by the police.
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Breath Tests
Breath test is an alternative method of testing Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). A breath test must comply with Title 17 of the Code of Regulations of California Health and Safety Code. Officers generally follow a checklist to administer a breath test. However, it is not uncommon for officers to make a mistake. Also, for 15 minutes prior to administering the breath test, the officer must observe you to ensure that you do not drink, smoke, vomit, or ingest any food or medicine. Numerous other challenges may be made to a breath test. An experienced D.U.I. defense attorney will help you in discrediting a breath test should your case proceed to jury trial.
POSSIBLE PENALTIES FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
1st D.U.I.:
A) If No probation granted: 48 hours to 6 months in jail; and $390 to $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments; plus six months license suspension.
B) With three to five years probatin: 90 day license restriction allowing driving to and from work and within the course and scope of employment or school, and fine of $390 to $1,000 plus penalty assessments.
2nd D.U.I.:
A) If No probation granted: 10 days to 1 year in jail; $390 to $390.00 to $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments; and an 18 month license suspension
B) With three to five year probation: 48 hours to 1 year in jail; $390 to $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments; an 18 month alcohol program; and a 1 year license suspension. A restricted driver's license allowing driving to and from work and within the course and scope of employment is available only after successful completion of the first 12 months of a second offender alcohol program.
3rd D.U.I.:
Minimum mandatory: 120 days to 1 year in jail; $390 to $1,000 fine plus penalty assesment; a 3 year license revocation; and an 18 month multiple offender alcohol program if one not already completed.
4th or Subsequent D.U.I D.U.I. involving injuries, or a D.U.I. within 10 years of a previous felony D.U.I (This is normally charged as a felony)
A) If probation granted: up to 1 year in jail; $390 to $1,000 fine plus penalty assesment; a 4 year license revocation; and an 18 month multiple offender alcohol program if ordered by the court.
B) If probaion denied: 16 months to 3 years in state prison and a driver's license revocation.
OFFENDERS UNDER AGE 21:
California has a zero tolerence law for drivers under the age of 21. That means for those udner 21, a blood alcohol content of .01% is sufficient to convict of drunk driving.
DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR D.U.I.:
1st offense: four months, beginning 30 days from the date of arrest; one year suspension for offenders under 21 years of age; one year suspension for DUI with refusal.
2nd Offense: twelve months, beginning 30 days from the date of arrest; two year suspension for DUI with refusal.
3rd Offense: up to three years of license revocation.
4th Offense: up to five years of license revocation.
HOW TO AVOID SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE:
D.M.V. HEARINGS:
You only have 10 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative per se hearing with California D.M.V. to save your driver's license. If you request a hearing with the time allowed, you can also request a stay on the suspension of your driver's license until the date of the hearing. With the help of an experienced D.U.I. lawyer your Driver's license may be reinstated. In order to obtain a restricted license after an arrest for a first D.U.I. you need Proof of enrollment in a first offender Alcohol Program. In order to reinstate your license, you need the following:
1) An "SR22", that is proof of insurance certificate
2) Payment of a reissue fee to the DMV 3) Proof of completion of an Alcohol Program
VEHICLE IMPOUND AND INSURANCE CONSEQUENCES:
A conviction for Driving Under the Influence is frequently used by insurance companies to increse auto insurance premiums. Also, if you are stopped for driving on a suspended license, the court may order "impound" of your vehicle for up to 30 days, If you continue to drive on a suspended license and get arrested for multiple violatoins, the police may "forfeit" or sell your vehicle.
Criminal prosecution can affect your health, freedom, employment, and social life. You need help and you need the best criminal defense you can get.
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