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If you were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in San Bernardino County, you should schedule a free consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney. A DUI conviction in California can lead to jail time, fines, and driver’s license suspension, even for a first offense. If you simply plead guilty to driving under the influence, you could end up with these criminal penalties, but hiring a DUI lawyer gives you a chance to reduce or avoid them.
At Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law, our legal team has successfully argued numerous DUI cases across San Bernardino County. This is why we’re confident we can develop a defense strategy suitable for your DUI case. Contact us to talk to a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney ready to help fight your DUI charges.
What Are the DUI Laws in San Bernardino County?
If police officers in California have probable cause to suspect that you’re drunk driving, they can pull you over and conduct field sobriety tests. They might also administer a blood or breath test to learn your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If it’s 0.08% or higher, you could be charged with a DUI offense.
A first DUI offense is almost always a misdemeanor. However, certain aggravating factors can elevate the charge to a felony DUI, which is a more serious offense than a misdemeanor first DUI offense. For example, if you caused an accident that hurt or killed someone, you could be charged with a felony. This will increase the amount of fines, jail time, and additional penalties for a DUI conviction.
Other aggravating factors won’t typically turn a misdemeanor DUI into a felony but can result in harsher punishment. For example, if you were driving under the influence of a suspended driver’s license, had a particularly high blood alcohol concentration, or had a person under age 15 in the car during your DUI arrest, you could be charged with an aggravated DUI. An experienced DUI defense lawyer will help you understand your charges, penalties, and possible defense strategies, so contact our San Bernardino County law firm to discuss your DUI case.
What DUI Penalties Can You Expect After a Conviction?
If you’re convicted of drunk driving, you’ll spend anywhere from two days to six months in county jail. Depending on the details of your criminal court case, you may be able to avoid or reduce jail time by having the sentence suspended or getting a work release. Your DUI lawyer will keep you informed on the sentencing options for your criminal case.
You will also likely be put on informal probation for three to five years after your DUI conviction. During this time, you’ll need to complete an alcohol abuse education program, pay up to $1,000 in fines, and avoid being accused of any other criminal offense.
Other DUI penalties involve your driving privileges. Your driver’s license may be suspended for six months. Once you can drive again, you’ll likely need to pay for SR-22 car insurance and get an Ignition Interlock Device installed in your car for several months. This requires you to test your breath to ensure there is no alcohol detected on it before the car starts.
If you’re concerned about the driver’s license suspension, talk to your DUI attorney. Depending on your DUI charges, you may be eligible for a temporary license to keep driving for as long as possible. You can also ask for a restricted driver’s license to drive to school, work, or other essential destinations during your driver’s license suspension period. Your DUI attorney can attend an administrative DMV hearing to request a temporary license, but this needs to be done quickly, so contact a DUI law firm soon after your DUI arrest.
What Are Some Defense Strategies for DUI Charges?
A DUI arrest can be scary, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. Hiring a trusted criminal defense attorney to handle your DUI case can get you on the path toward a DUI defense strategy for your situation.
An experienced DUI attorney can find ways to weaken the prosecution’s case. This might involve challenging the blood or breath test results or pointing out that the police officer did not have probable cause to pull you over and accuse you of drunk driving. DUI attorneys can also determine if the police officer violated your rights.
In addition, a DUI attorney who has handled numerous DUI cases can often find evidence or witnesses to support your claim that you were not drunk driving as charged in the prosecution’s case. They can also point out that you’re a first-time offender with no prior DUI convictions on your criminal record, which can give you an advantage in criminal court. If you’re searching for a DUI attorney who has won DUI cases like yours, contact us to begin your DUI defense case.
Why Should You Hire First Offense DUI Lawyers?
When you’re accused of breaking California’s DUI laws, you may be worried about how the criminal proceedings will go. Even if this is your first DUI, you could lose your driver’s license for months and spend time in county jail. But your chances of facing these penalties are reduced when you hire a DUI defense attorney who can make a solid defense strategy for you.
At our San Bernardino County law firm, we work hard to get the best possible outcome on all criminal defense cases. We understand that no one wants to go to jail or get their driver’s license suspended, so we create quality legal strategies to reduce penalties for DUI offenses or get cases dismissed. If you’re ready to learn about your criminal defense options during the DUI process, call 909-500-4819 for a free consultation.