2800 Costa Mesa DUI Attorney – Aggressive DUI Lawyers

COSTA MESA DUI ATTORNEY

A DUI charge does not mean an automatic conviction. There are numerous defenses that an experienced Costa Mesa DUI attorney can raise. Call a Costa Mesa DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 for a discussion about your case.

A DUI carries multiple penalties. If convicted, you face:

  • Typically 2-days in jail for a first offense but longer if there are aggravating circumstances. The maximum is 6-months for a first offense. There are mandatory minimum jail sentences for subsequent offenses
  • Fine of $390, but more if there are aggravating circumstances or you have prior convictions
  • License suspension of up to 10-months for first offense and years for subsequent offenses
  • Mandatory attendance at DUI classes at your expense
  • Probation for 3-5 years
  • Possible installation of an ignition interlock system at your expense
  • Cancellation of auto insurance and required purchase of SR-1 insurance as condition for return of your license

A DUI conviction has repercussions on other aspects of your life that can last for years. Call a Costa Mesa DUI attorney now.

Overview of DUI Proceedings

Here is a summary of what to expect:

  • License suspension. You have only 10-days from your arrest date to request a hearing with the DMV. Have your Costa Mesa DUI attorney request and handle it. Otherwise, your license will be suspended 30-days after your arrest.
  • Criminal proceedings. There is a brief arraignment with your Costa Mesa DUI attorney where you enter a not guilty plea followed by a pretrial conference where your Costa Mesa DUI attorney attempts to negotiate a plea agreement.
  • Your Costa Mesa DUI attorney will exchange information with the prosecutor and conduct an investigation. This may lead to your Costa Mesa DUI attorney bringing motions to dismiss or exclude certain evidence.
  • If no reasonable resolution can be reached, your Costa Mesa DUI lawyer will try your case.

You can also expect your Costa Mesa DUI lawyer to raise any number of defenses. These can include police misconduct, bias or inconsistencies in police testimony, challenges to your performance on field sobriety tests, questioning the validity and integrity of your breath or blood test and others.

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary from county to county and especially if aggravating circumstances were present. Otherwise, there are separate penalties for a first, second, third and felony convictions. 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
  1. Fines. From $390 to $1000
  2. DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders
  3. Insurance and installation. Possible securing of SR-1 insurance and installation of an interlock system

Call a Costa Mesa DUI Lawyer

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

Costa Mesa CA 92626
(888) 754-9860