Being arrested for driving under the influence is a frightening and humiliating experience. After submitting to field sobriety tests and a breath test, you suddenly find yourself in handcuffs and on your way to jail. However, this isn’t the time to panic and give up. A DUI conviction can limit your ability to drive, cost you an enormous amount of money, and keep you out of your chosen career path.
Instead, take action and call a DUI lawyer in Orange County. An experienced DUI attorney can help you fight your charges and protect your rights.
Good people make mistakes. Just because you were arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to defend yourself. Use our list of Orange County DUI defense attorneys to find the best fit for you.
When you get pulled over for suspicion of DUI, the officer may ask you to do a number of field sobriety tests. These may involve touching your finger to your nose, walking a straight line, or balancing on one foot. However, there is no law against refusing these tests in California, and doing these tests could actually hurt your case.
However, California law requires you to submit to blood or breath testing if an officer suspects your are driving drunk. The implied consent law means that you consent to testing simply by having a driver’s license and driving on California roads. Refusing a test could leave you with a longer license suspension period and stiffer penalties.
The consequences of a DUI affect multiple areas of your life. A lot depends on how many prior convictions you have.
For a first DUI, penalties include:
On your second DUI, fines are the same. However, you may face up to one year in jail and a two-year license suspension.
For a third DUI, jail sentences range from 120 days to one year. You should expect to lose your license for three years.
In some situations, your misdemeanor DUI may become a felony. Aggravating factors can make your DUI be handled much more severely in a court of law. If you cause an accident that injures someone or kills someone, you could pay significantly more in penalties and spend time in state prison. Furthermore, your fourth DUI within ten years and any subsequent DUIs are considered felonies.
An experienced DUI attorney will have a variety of potential defense options to use in your case. This experience is critical because it allows your attorney to have a deep understanding of the nuance of the laws and legal procedures surrounding DUI charges in Orange County. This knowledge can be used to build a strong defense for you. An experienced DUI lawyer will also have established relationships with local judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals, which can be beneficial in a local OC courtroom. Additionally, an experienced DUI lawyer will have handled a large number of cases and will be familiar with the common strategies and tactics used by specific prosecutors. This knowledge and experience can help increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
Here are some potential defenses that can be used to challenge DUI charges:
It’s important to note that these are just examples and the specific defenses will depend on the facts of the charges. Also, it’s important to have a DUI attorney that can evaluate your specific circumstances and help formulate the best defense strategy.
The DUI attorneys listed on this page serve clients in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, La Habra, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Brea, Ladera Ranch and all courts throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you or a family member has been arrested for a first, second or third DUI in Orange County, you NEED to talk to a lawyer and get your questions answered, call an attorney listed here today.
Take control of your future and your freedom by retaining an Orange County DUI attorney. Explore your options on our list of local DUI defense lawyers.