2800 Mission Viejo DUI Attorney – Aggressive DUI Lawyers

MISSION VIEJO DUI ATTORNEY

Knowing that you have a Los Alamitos DUI attorney on your side is reassuring. Call a Los Alamitos DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 to discuss your case and to receive an honest assessment.

A DUI conviction can have lasting repercussions in your life. More immediately, you face time in jail, loss of your driver’s license, a stiff fine and costs in the thousands of dollars for court costs and increased auto insurance. You have too much at stake by not retaining a Los Alamitos DUI attorney.

Overview of DUI Cases

Your first concern is over the suspension of your driver’s license. You have a right to a hearing before the DMV but you or your Mission Viejo DUI attorney must request it within 10-days of your arrest. This hearing is usually the first evidentiary hearing in DUI matters.

The DUI process consists of:

  • DMV hearing. In many cases, Mission Viejo DUI attorneys have prevailed over probable cause problems or due to defective results in the breath or blood tests.
  • The first court appearance with your Mission Viejo DUI attorney where you enter a not guilty plea.
  • Before trial, your Mission Viejo DUI attorney may obtain evidence from the prosecutor and present motions to dismiss charges or to exclude evidence. Most cases are resolved by plea bargain.
  • If no plea agreement is reached or your Mission Viejo DUI attorney recommends trial, then your Mission Viejo DUI lawyer will defend you.

Defenses in DUI Cases

A Mission Viejo DUI lawyer has the requisite knowledge, resources and skills to uncover and challenge certain issues common in many DUI cases. These include:

  • Police misconduct
  • Field sobriety test observations and conclusions by the arresting officer
  • The validity and integrity of the breath or blood tests
  • Bias, inconsistencies and errors in police testimony, reports and records
  • Possible drinking after driving, no driving and other defenses that your Mission Viejo DUI lawyer may raise, if applicable

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 Mission Viejo DUI Lawyer

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

Mission Viejo CA 92653
(888) 754-9860