When arrested for a DUI in California, you can face very serious consequences that can change the entire course of your life. Even if this is your first offense, the penalties can be steeper than you imagined and may even include jail time. A
Los Angeles DUI lawyer will be able to educate you on what you are up against as he or she prepares your defense.
If you are a first time DUI offender in the state of California, you can be facing a number of penalties, including:
- Fines of up to $1,500 or more, depending on the jurisdiction you are in and also other circumstances surrounding your arrest, as well as assessment fees.
- The loss of your driving privileges with your drivers’ license possibly being suspended for up to six months
- Attendance at a DUI education course approved by the state for three months.
- The possibility of jail time with a sentence that can range from four days to six months maximum.
If you are convicted, a good and experienced DUI attorney in Los Angeles may be able to get you the minimum penalties, rather than the maximum.
There are also circumstances in a DUI case that can warrant harsher punishments, even for first time offenders. These are called “enhancements” and if they can be proven in court, or are freely admitted to, then you may need a good Los Angeles DUI attorney more than ever. The circumstances that can lead to enhancements include a minor of under 14 years of age in the car at the time of your arrest, speeding at more than 20 MPH over the limit on street roads and more than 30 MPH over the limit on the highway and the refusal to submit to a blood alcohol test. For people who have experienced prior DUI charges within the last 10 years, punishment can also be more severe, as well as two or more prior convictions. Some of these harsher penalties include higher fines, more time spent in jail and a longer suspension of your drivers’ license.
A DUI conviction does not just change your life while you are serving out your sentence and paying your fine. It can affect the rest of your life and have a negative impact on insurance premiums and employment prospects in the future. To protect yourself and seek the best possible outcome from these serious charges, call a Los Angeles DUI lawyer today for help.
