If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, you need to secure a Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer. DUI charges can result in a number of negative impacts, including jail time, probation, fines and the revocation of your driver’s license.
Your lawyer will take a comprehensive approach to your case. This includes a careful analysis of the evidence against you, negotiating with the prosecutor and seeking discovery. Let’s keep reading to learn more about it.
Charges
Drunk driving is one of the most serious crimes that can impact your life. It can result in expensive fines, court appearances, license revocations, jail time, and other penalties.
Even a first offense can have a significant impact on your career, professional license, and family relationships. It can also damage your mental health and finances.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, an experienced Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer may be able to get the charges against you dropped or have them reduced to a less serious charge.
If you have been arrested for DUI, the first thing that your attorney will do is examine the facts of your case to determine how they can be used to attack the prosecution’s evidence.
A DUI case is usually a misdemeanor in the state of California, although it can be elevated to felony charges if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over a certain level or if someone was injured as a result of your actions. The prosecutor can file a felony charge for DUI / DWI with injury or aggravated DWI, which carries increased fines and jail time.
Arrests
DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime that can ruin your life and cause you to lose your license. The consequences of a first-time DUI are often mild, but they get worse with each additional conviction.
A Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer has a long history of fighting this charge and can help you build a strong case for your freedom. He or she will use all of the information available about your case to prove that you were not drunk when you were driving.
One of the most important things that a drunk driving defense lawyer can do for you is to challenge the results of any blood or breath test that you have taken. The police will use those results in court to establish that you were intoxicated at the time of your arrest.
The number of people arrested for driving under the influence is alarmingly high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 1.5 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in a given year.
Tests
If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, a Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer will take the time to examine all of the evidence that led up to your arrest. Your DUI defense attorney will use this evidence to determine the best way to fight for you and defend your rights at trial.
Your DUI lawyer may also challenge the accuracy of your field sobriety tests, breathalyzer test, and blood test results. These tests can be inaccurate because of a number of factors, such as if you were nervous or fatigued, had a medical condition that affected your balance or motor skills, or if the machine used to administer the test was not properly calibrated and tested.
The police officer will also ask you to perform an eye exam called a horizontal gaze nystagmus test. This test measures how well you are able to follow an object placed one foot away from you as it moves back and forth. If you are unable to track the object, it could indicate that you were under the influence of alcohol at the time of your arrest.
Representation
If you are accused of a DUI in Los Angeles, it is imperative that you have the representation of an experienced Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer. This lawyer will fight to ensure that your rights are protected and that the consequences of a conviction are minimized.
After being detained, you will be given a citation or “notice to appear” with a court location and date of appearance. Your private Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorney can then appear on your behalf in this arraignment hearing, where you will be given the chance to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
There are many factors involved in a DUI case, including whether it was your first offense or not. A good Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer will use all of these factors to build a strong defense for you.