So you have just been charged with a DUI. Now what?
Below is an account of the process after an arrest, while leading up to the trial. You are probably aware that you can be assigned a state public defendant who will work your case for free, but you might also consider the benefits of hiring a professional Los Angeles DUI Attorney, like Madeline Galadjian. Read the following details, then call our law office at 818-769-4529 to receive a free consultation regarding your case.
What to Expect Following a DUI Arrest
After you get pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the police officer will either release you on your own recognizance to attend your future court date or put you in jail to be released on bail.
The first stage of the process is called the arraignment, in which you will appear before a judge with the chance to enter a plea of “not guilty,” “no contest,” or “guilty.”
Should you wish to declare yourself “guilty” or enter a “no contest” plea, you are essentially forfeiting your rights to a trial. Instead, you will be sentenced and your case closed. You may feel obligated to appease the judge by pleading guilty, but this is not necessarily the best, or only, option available to you.
If you do not wish to plead guilty or simply do not know how to plead, you can consult an attorney. If you do not have enough money, a free attorney will be assigned to you. If you would like to hire a private DUI Attorney in Los Angeles, like Madeline Galadjian, then you are paying for a defendant that is very familiar with DUI laws in California.
Preparing Before the Trial
After pleading “not guilty,” the judge will assign your court date. You and your Burbank DUI lawyer will be able to review all of the prosecution’s evidence in order to build a defense. The evidence often includes police reports, lab reports, and witness statements.
Madeline Galadjian Law Office will review the evidence in order to determine the best defense strategy. Common strategies include illegal arrests, faulty equipment, improper police procedure, and inaccurate test results. If a problem with the arrest, filing, or testing is discovered, we can devise a plan to seek a settlement or even get the charges dismissed.
DMV Hearing & License Suspension
The arresting officer is required to confiscate your driver’s license after a DUI and provide you with a Temporary 30-Day License. This enables you to drive around for 30 days, after which your suspension begins. You may appeal this suspension with a DMV Hearing, if you choose, but it must be requested within 10 days of the arrest.
It is highly recommended that you use a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at the DMV Hearing, because they can be complicated and extremely technical. Call the Law Office at 818-769-4529 to build your defense, but do so early enough to promptly schedule a hearing and collect evidence.
After Sentencing: Common DUI Penalties
Here is a list of the typical DUI penalties if you are convicted:
1st DUI offense
- 6 month license suspension
- 0 – 6 months in county jail
- Alcohol classes for 3 – 9 months
- Fines of $390 – $1000
2nd DUI offense – within 10 years
- 2 year license suspension
- 96 hours – 1 year in county jail
- Alcohol classes for 18 months
- Fines of $390 – $1000
3rd DUI offense – within 10 years
- 3 year license suspension
- 4 months – 1 year in county jail
- Alcohol classes for 18 months
- Fines of $390 – $1000
4th DUI offense – within 10 years
- 4 year license suspension
- 6 months to 3 years in county jail or state prison
- Alcohol classes for 18 months