California DUI Frequently Asked Questions
Knowledgeable Advocacy from a Long Beach DUI Lawyer
Qualified as Criminal Law Specialists with over five decades of combined
legal experience, the team of Long Beach criminal attorneys at our firm
is dedicated to assisting prospective and current clients. One of the
ways we desire to help is by providing commonly asked questions, accompanied
by our knowledgeable answers. By looking at the following list of inquiries,
we are hoping that you can feel better equipped to understand the logistics of your
DUI case. Additionally, we hope that you will not hesitate to get in touch with
our office if you have any further questions or concerns.
What options do I have after a DUI arrest?
Penalties for driving under the influence in California can be extremely
harsh. We highly recommend that you ask for time to obtain a DUI lawyer
that is not only knowledgeable, but passionate about defending your rights.
Working with a legal representative, you can seek out a potential plea
bargain, case dismissal or trial in a court of law.
How do I know if a DUI attorney is qualified?
It is important to consider the whole package when looking at DUI defense
lawyers in the state of California. Many large firms can promise a big
game, but fail to follow through with their promises. Check out the attorney's
qualifications first and consider their accolades. Have they been rated
by Martindale-Hubbell®? Are they specialized in criminal defense or
DUI cases? Look at their past case results and testimonials as well to
see what kind of success they have had.
What penalties will I be facing if convicted of a DUI?
Under the
California Vehicle Code §23152 the
penalties for drunk driving greatly depend on the circumstances of the arrest. In
a broad sense, they are as follows:
- Jail time for as little as a few days or as much as decades in prison
- Informal or formal probationary period
- Having your vehicle impounded
- Ignition Interlock Device installation
- Attending alcohol or drug abuse treatment programs
- Thousands of dollars in fines or restitution
-
License suspension for a number months or even years
As mentioned earlier, the severity of these consequences varies on the
amount of alcohol found in your system, if any injuries or death were
a direct result of any DUI related accidents, and if you willingly submitted
to breath or blood tests upon arrest. Speak with a knowledgeable Long
Beach DUI lawyer at our firm to determine the specifics of your case so
that you understand what you are up against.
Is it really necessary to schedule a DMV hearing within 10 days of my arrest?
You will have to go before the DMV and the court at two separate times
when fighting your DUI charges. The temporary license that you receive
at your arrest will only last for 30 days. If you schedule a
DMV hearing within 10 days, your ability to drive will be extended until your DMV
hearing has occurred and a decision reached. Additionally, if you win
your DMV hearing, there could be a greater chance that the judge will
look more favorably on your driving privileges when determining your future in court.
How long will my case take from start to finish?
Every case is unique and a question like this cannot be fully answered;
however, approximations can be made. Typically a DUI case will take at
the very minimum a few months to settle, unless you plead guilty from
the start. The more complicated the case is, the more time it will usually
take. In more difficult cases, it can take up to a year or more to come
to a verdict.
Felony DUI cases may continue for several years until a final sentence is reached.
If you fill out our free case evaluation regarding the basics of your case,
we can at least give you a general estimate of how long your case might
take. The answer we provide is in no way definitive and should not be
taken as truth.
AV® Rated Long Beach Criminal Attorney
If you are currently facing accusations for drunk driving in the state
of California, it is critical that you obtain an aggressive DUI lawyer
as soon as possible. In 2011, the
Law Offices of Damone & Schroeder was selected for
inclusion in the list of Southern California's Best Lawyers, denoting our experience in the field of criminal defense. Given the highest
possible AV® rating by the esteemed Martindale-Hubbell®, our lawyers
have demonstrated both knowledge and high ethical standards when it comes
to their practice.
Contact our office today at (562) 567-0511 to better understand how our legal team can prepare
a solid defense on your behalf.