2800 Rancho Santa Margarita DUI Attorney – Aggressive DUI Lawyers

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA DUI ATTORNEY

If facing DUI charges, you know that you will need quality and experienced legal counsel. Call a Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 for the representation you need.

If convicted of DUI, the penalties are severe, even for first-offenders. Jail is a near-certainty and your driver’s license will be suspended. You will have to pay a stiff fine and attend DUI classes for months. To reinstate your license, you have to show proof of SR-1 insurance and pay substantially higher premiums. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties.

Call a Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney now. A Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney has years of experience in handling countless DUI cases and has an impressive record of obtaining favorable outcomes.

Overview of DUI Proceedings

A DUI consists of several court appearances and a possible DMV hearing, all of which need to be handled by your Rancho Santa Margarita lawyer:

  • DMV hearing. You must request a hearing on suspension of your driver’s license within 10-days of your arrest. Your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney can request and handle this important proceeding that could result in you retaining your license.

  • Arraignment. Usually within 2 weeks of your arrest, you will appear with your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney to enter a not guilty plea.

  • The pretrial phase. Before trial, your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney gathers evidence from the prosecutor and independent investigation. Your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney makes move the court to dismiss all charges or to exclude evidence. Most cases are resolved by plea bargain before trial.

  • Trial. Your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI attorney is prepared to try your case if the evidence is weak or there is no resolution.

Defenses in DUI Cases

There are issues that commonly arise in DUI cases that your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI lawyer will carefully scrutinize and raise in your case, if applicable. These may include:

  • Possible police misconduct

  • Influences of your medical or physical condition on your arrest and BAC results

  • Validity and integrity of the breath or blood tests

  • Bias, inconsistencies or errors in police testimony, records and reports

  • No driving, drinking after driving and other defenses found by your Rancho Santa Margarita DUI lawyer

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary from county to county and especially if aggravating circumstances were present. These penalties for first,second, third and felony DUIs 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 Rancho Santa Margarita DUI Lawyer

If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Rancho Santa Margarita DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.

Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688
(888) 754-9860