It is probably common
sense, but I am sure that we have all heard the saying "don't drink and
drive." While certainly everyone knows better, many make mistakes; and,
sometimes, bad things happen to good people. In the event that you may
find yourself charged with a DUI, never try to fight your case alone. It
is highly recommended that you contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
No matter if it is your first offense or a multiple offense, going it alone on a DUI charge is not a wise choice. A respected, reliable attorney can make the difference between possible jail time and community service. It is wise to remember that it is not a crime to drink and drive. Rather, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol content(BAC) higher than .08%.
Unfortunately, there are many attorneys out there who treat a DUI charge as just another traffic ticket. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When you are charged with a DUI, the system will go after you both civilly and criminally. The civil aspect entails the state taking away or suspending your drivers' license. The criminal aspect will take the form of a trial that could involve jail time and is the one you really want to focus on.
Trials for DUI charges are usually done in two stages -- there is a criminal trial and a civil trial to decide the fate of your drivers' license. An attorney, such as Los Angeles DUI lawyer Ron Hedding, can represent you for both trials. Having a DUI attorney may offer the opportunity to completely erase the need of a civil trial, thus saving your drivers' license in the process. What can happen to you if you do not have a lawyer and/or plead guilty/no contest? You can expect somewhere between the middle to the maximum of the following criteria -- and these are just first offense penalties in CA:
No matter if it is your first offense or a multiple offense, going it alone on a DUI charge is not a wise choice. A respected, reliable attorney can make the difference between possible jail time and community service. It is wise to remember that it is not a crime to drink and drive. Rather, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol content(BAC) higher than .08%.
Unfortunately, there are many attorneys out there who treat a DUI charge as just another traffic ticket. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When you are charged with a DUI, the system will go after you both civilly and criminally. The civil aspect entails the state taking away or suspending your drivers' license. The criminal aspect will take the form of a trial that could involve jail time and is the one you really want to focus on.
Trials for DUI charges are usually done in two stages -- there is a criminal trial and a civil trial to decide the fate of your drivers' license. An attorney, such as Los Angeles DUI lawyer Ron Hedding, can represent you for both trials. Having a DUI attorney may offer the opportunity to completely erase the need of a civil trial, thus saving your drivers' license in the process. What can happen to you if you do not have a lawyer and/or plead guilty/no contest? You can expect somewhere between the middle to the maximum of the following criteria -- and these are just first offense penalties in CA:
- Between 4-6 days in jail
- Fines between $1400-$2600
- Drivers' license suspended for
1 month to 1 year
- Anything else a judge deems
necessary in your case
If you do have a Los Angeles drunk driving attorney representing you, you may be able to lessen or eliminate the severity of some or all of the aforementioned penalties. In closing, one of the "escapes" that an attorney like Los Angeles DUI lawyer Ron Hedding can offer the prosecution is what is called a "wet reckless" charge. Pleading guilty to this with the help of a Los Angeles DUI attorney will lessen the penalties significantly. However, there is a catch. While you are pleading guilty to a lesser charge, it can be used against you if you get another DUI, your insurance company will still look at it as a DUI, and it will stay on your record just as long as a DUI. In general, many DUI lawyers will resort to this if it is the last option on the table.
As you can see, having an attorney such as Los Angeles DUI lawyer Ron Hedding will help make your life much easier, if you are charged with a DUI. While you may still have to go through a little hell to deal with the situation, it is much better than trying to deal with the much harsher penalties. For more information call (818) 986-2092
Hedding Law Firm
16000 Ventura Boulevard
Suite 1208
Encino, California 91436
(818) 986-2092
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