Reader’s Question:

I’m really concerned about my car insurance after being charged with DUI here in LA California. I heard that some of the traffic laws in California have changed. How would my insurance company deal with my DUI case?

Maxine

Los Angeles, CA

Under the California law, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. This may sound unfortunate for you. Several insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy.
At times, DUI conviction can escape your insurer’s attention or don’t end up on your motor vehicle record. But if your insurer finds out about your DUI in California, you are likely to have higher rates and possibly policy cancellation or non-renewal.

You asked how your insurance company would deal with your DUI case. Well, in general, there are two ways insurance companies deal with customers with DUI conviction. First is that they may raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you have been convicted of DUI. Second and worse is that they may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction. If this happens, you may shop around to get lower rates for your insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

My brother was convicted of a DUI in over 7 years ago in LA, California but has completed all of the requirements issued by the court. Is this now off of his record and does he still report it on license applications?

Sam

Los Angeles, CA

No. It will not be off his record yet.

New California legislation extended the reporting period for DUI offenses from seven to ten years for all public requestors.

According to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles, even if a DUI was previously taken off your record, it will now appear back on your driving record and will remain there until 10 years from date of violation. Under the new CA law, you may not qualify for a good driver discount again until 10 years from the date of your DUI violation.

Then, if your DUI was less than 10 years ago in Los Angeles, CA, it will still be on your driving record for public requestors, including insurance companies. If you are asked on a license application if you have DUI on your record, you would have to report this DUI that they will see when requesting your CA MVR.

Reader’s Question:

My husband was recently convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles, California for the first time. He has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. He wants to know if he should write his insurance company in LA with an explanation of the circumstances before they learn of the conviction. Thanks.

May

Los Angeles , CA

It must be a very bad time for you and your husband knowing that he has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. My suggestion is that he may want to explain his California DUI conviction only if his insurance company finds out about it. In general, insurance companies check motor vehicle records on their policyholders about every three years. His DUI conviction might go unnoticed.

On the other hand, if his Los Angeles insurance company notices his DUI, there’s no guarantee that it would raise his insurance rates or cancel his policy. Rules may differ by insurance company. Most insurers say that generally, they look at a policyholder’s total driving record and claims history when considering what penalty, if there would be any, they will assess for a DUI conviction.

Reader’s Question:

I have been living here in Los Angeles for quite some time now around 10 years. A friend asked me if I had any idea how the DUI fine is computed. Of course, I said no. I have no idea about it. But that question still lingers on my mind. Would you happen to know how the fine for DUI is computed?

Kevin, Los Angeles CA

Hi ya Kevin,

A simple question you got there but yet almost everyone here in Los Angeles does not know how the fine for DUI is computed. My mom who happens to be an arresting officer told me before that the common denominator of deciding in how much the fine, the penalty as well as the charge is blood-alcohol concentration level. The concentration level is measured through using the blood sample taken or a Breathalyzer test.

Like in any state, cities or parts of US, most of these places it is unlawful for any person having a blood-alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or more when driving a vehicle.

It is safe to say that when your blood-alcohol level concentration is high chances are your fine will definitely be high also in correspond to the penalty and charges against a person convicted for DUI.

Reader’s Question:

I lived in Los Angeles, California. I just bought a new car and then on some occasions will have some few drinks with my girlfriends. I was never been arrested for DUI, but just out of curiosity, I would like to know what lies ahead for a first time offender of DUI here in Los Angeles.

Debra, Los Angeles CA

Hey Debra,

That’s a good question. You know it is better to know what lies ahead before you decide on doing something like driving yourself home when you got few glasses of martinis when out together with your girlfriends. If my memory serves me right, I was once a first time offender of DUI, way back 5 years ago. I was just given a fine and after which off I went. I had just 2 glasses of martinis that night that I was arrested. So a minimal amount as a fine was given to me as a punishment. But got some friends telling me, I was lucky I did not meet an accident and bumped another person. If I did then, my driver’s license will be suspended and I will be facing a probation that would lasts for three years. Also one more thing, in Los Angeles, all offenders are mandated to attend a DUI education course.

If you are a first time offender, the punishment will depend on how serious the accident is if there are any or if there are no accidents then you will just be facing a fine.

Reader’s Question:

Im looking for a DWI lawyer in Los Angeles California and I want to know what I should ask them on free consultation.

Ray

Thank you for asking Ray.

Before you select the right Florida DUI court attorney, please make sure your attorney specializes in the field of DWIs in LA. Obviously you will have many questions for the LA California DWI attorney. You should make sure the California DWI lawyer offers free consultations, so you can ask your questions.

Below are the list of questions you may ask your Los Angeles California DWI court lawyers:

* Do you specialize DWI defenses in California?
* Are you experienced in California DUI/DWI defense?
* Who will be handling my case?
* Will I be contacted regularly about the updates to my case?
* Will I receive copies of the motions you file?
* Will I be able to make a final decision regarding my case?
* What is your estimate of fees?

Getting an experienced court attorney will protect yourself against the possibility of going to jail. You may contact an experienced LA California DWI lawyer to get more information on DWI case in California.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

What are the penalties for second offense DUI in LA California?

Tim

Thank you asking Tim.

Below are the list of information for the second offense penalties of DUI in California:

California Criminal Status: generally misdemeanors fot Non-injury DUIs. DUIs may be elevated to felony status, depending on the circumstances if that result in bodily injury.

Jail: 90-120 days but no more than 1 year mandatory jail time.

California DUI Fines: $390 up to $1,000 fines.

California License Suspension: 1year suspension or revocation of license.

Vehicle Impound: Multiple offender’s car may be seized and disposed.

California DUI School: 18-30 months at a DUI school

California Probation: 3-5 years informal probation

Community Service: alternative to jail time 10 days required for community service.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

How much will it cost to get a lawyer for DWI in Los Angeles California?

Joshua

Thank you for asking Joshua.

In California, the cost of an lawyer will differ much between the amount of experience, the reputation, and the location of their practice. It is usually true that the bigger the city and the more experience the lawyer has, the higher the costs of the lawyer. A detail that may also affect the fees is the amount of time a lawyer commits to each case. A more qualified attorney will also accept fewer clients, and in turn give more attention to each case individually.

In Los Angeles California, fees can range from $500 to $15,000 or more, all depends on the details of the lawyer and the case. A general practitioner who is located in a smaller and less populated community in California might charge between $500 and $1000. Generally, an experienced DUI lawyer with a good reputation will charge $5000 to $8000 if this is your first DUI offence. This fine does include the DMV license hearing as well.

A lawyer could request a retained in advance or just charge a fixed fee, which includes all expenses. Either way, you can and should ask for a written agreement of all the fees. Make sure that you follow all of the terms the lawyer request of you before you make any decisions.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

What do I need to do to find an experienced DWI lawyer in Los Angeles California?

Jean

Thank you for asking Jean.

The best way to find a qualified DUI/DWI lawyer in CA is through their reputation in LA California. While the nationally known lawyers are really very expensive, there are other ways where you can also find locally known lawyers to represent you. The most effective way is found simply through getting information from other lawyers in the district who they think is the most qualified in DWI defense. You may visit the courthouse in your area to ask clerks, bailiffs, and public defenders the regarding this inforation.

It will not be helpful to find a referral from the local Bar association or a referral service. Most of these services work off of a referral list and just provide you the next lawyer on the list. The problem with this strategy is that, in most cases, there are very few requirements needed to have in order to be put on this list. A lawyer simply has to request to be put on the list.

The highest acknowledgment for a DUI lawyer is Board-certification. This shows an amount of experience and skills. Another good indication of expertise is if he/she is a member with the National College for DUI/DWI Defense. More suitable qualification is the completion of the College’s rigorous 3 day seminar that takes place annually at Harvard Law School.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I got charged with a DUI in LA California. I want to know if I can represent my own case. How can my lawyer help me with this?

Hope

Thank you for asking Hope.

The subject of DUI in CA is a very extensive issue and can be very difficult to follow. The sentences and penalties are becoming increasingly severe and dealing with a case may include an array of administrative license, sentencing, evidentiary, constitutional, and procedural affairs.

In California, general lawyer will not do anything or possibly even hurt your case because they are, more often than not, not qualified for such a particular subject. Comparing a general lawyer to a DUI defense lawyer is much like having a comparison between a family practitioner to a brain surgeon. However, a qualified DUI lawyer can do many things to help you with your situation. A DUI lawyer can obtain measurements and maintenance records of the breath machine and have samples of blood reanalyzed. DUI lawyers can also control the evidence, review the case for any possible flaws, contest to reduce penalties and sentences, debate the administrative license suspension, acquire expert witnesses for the case, and many other things. Basically, finding an experienced DUI lawyer can be very beneficial to your case.

Goodluck!

MariCAR