What To Do In Case You’ve Been Arrested For Drunk Driving in West Hollywood, CA

Getting arrested for drunk driving and being charged with a drinking and driving offense for the first time is an overwhelming experience because of how intense the court proceedings can be. The whole process is quite frightening and may cause confusion. This is why getting a good lawyer is essential.

The DUI laws in California and West Hollywood are some of the toughest in the whole country, and the penalties can be very stiff and can be life-altering. Even if you are in the warn range, you can still face penalties, although they may not be as harsh as those handed out for over 80mg offenses.

As per the California Vehicle Code, DUI or driving under the influence means operating a vehicle which may include cars, trucks, snowmobiles, boats and off the road vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The California Vehicle Code defines DUI as a serious offense and a crime in West Hollywood, California and has some very severe consequences as well as the imposition of penalties.

Do Not Hesitate To Contact Us If You Have Received A DUI Offense in West Hollywood

West Hollywood Legal Penalties For a Valid DUI Arrest

Drunk driving can have severe penalties that can alter the course of one’s future. Penalties for drunk driving depend on the number of times a DUI arrest has been given to the accused and they keep on getting stiffer and tougher as the number of offenses increases. The penalties are as follows:
First Instance:

• Mandatory education or treatment program
• License suspension for a period of six months
• Probation for a period of three years and may go up to five years
• Jail sentence for a period of 48 hours to six months
• Monetary fine that may go up to $1000
• Five month requirement to drive a car with an ignition interlock device

Second instance:

• Mandatory education or treatment program
• License suspension for a period of two years
• Probation for a period of three years and may go up to five years
• Jail sentence for a period of 96 hours to one year
• Monetary fine that may go up to $1000
• 12 month requirement to drive a car with an ignition interlock device and it may go up to 3 years

Third instance:

• Mandatory education or treatment program
• License suspension for a period of three years
• Probation for a period of three years and may go up to five years
• Jail sentence for a period of 120 hours to one months
• Monetary fine that may go up to $1000
• 24 month requirement to drive a car with an ignition interlock device and it may go up to 3 years

Although your chances may seem bleak the first time you face a DUI arrest in West Hollywood, California, you must always remember that until you are proven guilty, you are presumed to be innocent, so always believe you can fight the case. There are certain defenses that a DUI lawyer will employ and these are:

• Challenging the legality of the DUI checkpoint stop
• Taking Mouth Alcohol as a defense
• Citing Title 17 Violations
• Showing to the court that there was lack of probable cause for a DUI stop
• Questioning the Field Sobriety Tests
• Challenging the Blood Alcohol Concentration results from breath tests
• Challenging the results of the blood tests
• Showing and proving that the arrest at the DUI Checkpoint was illegal
• Asserting the failure of the officer to read your Miranda Rights
• Making a Rising Blood Alcohol Content argument
• Citing a failure to issue implied consent warning

Contact Us Immediately If You’ve Been Caught Drunk Driving and Arrested for DUI

Usually, the main reason why a person is arrested for DUI is that their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or above. If you were caught drunk driving and arrested for DUI for a level of blood alcohol concentration that is above 0.08, then you will require a criminal defense because this is considered a criminal offense. You will also be subjected to stringent penalties and potentially life-altering consequences. However, if you were tested close to the limit but not over, then you will face some lesser penalties for being in the warn range.

What Are My Options if I Got a DUI in West Hollywood?

Drivers who are caught drunk driving are usually charged with two offenses: impaired driving and driving over 80. If convicted, the punishment is the same in both the cases. Penalties are substantial and include: loss of driver’s license, a fine, possible jail time, and a criminal record.

Being charged with a criminal offense is a serious issue and may put your future at risk. Being convicted of a criminal offense is the last thing you want. This is the reason why it is advisable to hire a reliable and experienced lawyer to zealously fight on your behalf. If you find yourself asking the question I got a DUI what’s next?, then hiring the services of a West Hollywood DUI lawyer is the answer. Our team of quality, savvy DUI attorneys will assure you of the following:

• Receipt of a reliable and professional opinion and advice from highly-skilled lawyers with several years of experience in dealing with DUI offenses
• Appointment flexibility and convenient working hours
• Reasonable fees with no hidden costs

Feel free to get in touch with our team of West Hollywood DUI lawyers, as we have the expertise required to deal with matters related to a DUI arrest. We have proven successful at preventing our clients from facing any unjustified convictions and consequences of a DUI.