Reader’s Question:

My cousin may opt to plea bargaining on his DUI case in Los Angeles, California. Why should a person accused of DUI consider plea bargaining and when exactly does a plea bargain occur?

Wilbur

Los Angeles, CA

Your cousin will be advised by his DUI attorney about plea bargaining on his DUI case in Los Angeles, California. Usually, plea bargains are at the request of the court not the DUI defendant. The government might feel they have a weak case against your cousin or they may wish to settle in order to clear their calendar. The defense lawyers and prosecution may consider a plea bargain to keep the charges out of the control of jury or a judge.

Generally, a plea bargain depends on the court and the jurisdiction. The state of California allows plea bargains during certain phases of the criminal process. Your cousin’s DUI attorney would be able to advise him on the specifics of his DUI case. He has to speak with his attorney first before deciding whether or not to plea bargain. The DUI attorney would be able to help him make an informed decision.

Tags: DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I just want to be cautious because I often times drive myself after a little drink. What reason that an officer in Los Angeles, California could arrest me? I also want to know if I have to consent to the field sobriety tests.

Martha

Los Angeles, CA

Police officers in Los Angeles, California must have probable cause or reasonable suspicion that a person is driving under the influence before they can be asked to pull over. An officer may be able to suspect that a person is impaired by alcohol or drugs if he/she is engaging in uncharacteristic driving behaviors. These uncharacteristic behaviors could include disobeying traffic signals, making irregular stops, speeding and swerving.

If you were asked to pull over because of a DUI suspicion in Los Angeles, California, you actually do not have to consent to field sobriety tests. In many DUI cases, a police officer would not tell you of your right to refuse to submit to the field sobriety tests. But it could be in your best interest not to consent to these tests because they tend to be inaccurate and you are not obligated by law to do so.

Tags: DUI, DUI advice, DUI arrest

Reader’s Question:

I’ve hired a DWI attorney for my son since he can’t afford it. What are the basics of a DWI case in Los Angeles, California?

Laura

Los Angeles, CA

Like other attorneys, a DWI attorney has to gather evidences in order to defend his client in the court. Forms of evidence accepted can be pictures, videos or a statement by an eyewitness. Giving out accurate and exact details will also make the task of a DWI attorney easier. Any wrong information on your part will affect the preparation of your DWI case negatively.

When charged with DWI in Los Angeles, California, you’re going to be arrested immediately and your driving license also gets suspended. Your DWI attorney will appeal in the court for your bail. During the first court hearing, your attorney will request that a temporary access be given to you for your driving license. The attorney will also play a big part in making sure that you do not pay a hefty fine.

To be able to defend his client, a DWI attorney has to verify the facts and figures filed by the law enforcement officer. The statement of your eyewitnesses can make or break the DWI case. If your Los Angeles, California is able to successfully prove that your eyewitness is not sure about your involvement in the case, you will get the benefit of doubt from the court.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DWI advice, DWI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My brother was arrested for drunk driving just two days ago in Los Angeles, California but I was out of state. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to him or to anyone after he was bailed out. Someone just mentioned to me that he refused to take the breath test. What happens to him now because of his refusal to take the breath test?

Hayden

Los Angeles, CA

Since your brother was driving on a public highway in Los Angeles, California and was arrested for drunk driving, his driver’s license will be suspended for one year because of his refusal to do a breath test. The breath test refusal can also be used against him in court. Many times, it is possible to take administrative legal action to regain his driver’s license and there are many legal reasons why someone would not want to blow into a breathalyzer.

Furthermore, even if the one-year driver’s license suspension is maintained, that suspension is so much better than a DUI conviction. A person should never take a breath test, especially without an attorney present. That being said, even if your brother blew well above the legal limit, there are many ways to fight his DUI charge in Los Angeles. At this point, you have to make sure that you hire a DUI lawyer to help your brother defend his DUI charge. The DUI lawyer would guide him through the proceedings and help clarify the severity of charges brought against him. An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer can definitely look at several ways to attack your brother’s DUI charge.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I am battling a DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California and still hoping that I will not be convicted. I was told that if I will be convicted for the DUI offense, I would need to get SR22 for my car insurance? What is this and how important is getting this?

Oakley

Los Angeles, CA

Since you have a DUI charge in Los Angeles, California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has suspended your driving license. You would have to obtain SR22 insurance policy to reinstate your license. Your insurance company will provide SR22 filling which serves as a proof of insurance to the DMV. In this way, the DMV is assured that an insurance company has provided at least minimum liability coverage for you. Your insurance company will immediately inform the DMV if the policy lapses for any reason.

In Los Angeles, the SR22 filing period is for three years. But the term can be extended depending on individual cases due to stringent insurance laws in Los Angeles. As soon as the SR22 filing period is over, the insurance premiums will be lower, depending on your driving history. The prices of insurance are based on your driving history and also on your driving experience. It’s great that you can get online quotes for SR22 car insurance from this site.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI, insurance, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My driver’s license has been suspended because of a DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California. I was told that I need to secure SR22 car insurance in order for me to get my license back. What is this and how long would I have to carry SR22 in my insurance policy?

Bunny

Los Angeles, CA

Because of your DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended your driver’s license and you need to secure SR22 car insurance to have your license reinstated. SR22 filling is provided by insurance companies which serves as a proof of insurance to the DMV. That way the DMV is assured that insurance company has provided at least minimum liability coverage to you. The insurance company immediately informs the DMV if the policy lapses for any reason.

The rules regarding SR22 insurance may vary. In Los Angeles, generally, SR Filing period is three years. Due to stringent insurance laws in Los Angeles, however, the term can be extended depending on individual cases. Depending on your driving history, the insurance premiums will be lower as soon as the SR filing period is over.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI, insurance, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My son just got arrested for DUI here in Los Angeles, California. We decided to hire a DUI lawyer and my husband is the one who usually deals with the lawyer regarding my son’s case. What are the possible defenses that he could have on his DUI case?

Monica

Los Angeles, CA

There are many lawyers in Los Angeles, California, but there are only few who are well experienced in DUI cases. I hope the lawyer that you got to defend your son on his DUI charge has a lot to boast on defending DUI cases. A good DUI lawyer knows every aspect of defense to get an acquittal or at best a reduced sentence. He/she needs to be well informed of the different tactics that can be used to make your son’s case have a good outcome. Honest and good communication is necessary between the DUI lawyer and your son to ensure a comprehensive knowledge of the events that have occurred.

A good DUI lawyer needs to go over each item that can be used in your son’s defense. The defenses that the DUI lawyer will use relate to matters such as:
-If your son’s constitutional rights have been breached
-If the police officer concerned followed the correct procedures
-If you son was read his rights when the police officer made the DUI arrest
-If the blood and alcohol level tests were properly carried out
-If the equipment used to monitor blood alcohol levels was maintained and in good working order

An experienced legal expert in the field of DUI Law would know exactly what to look out for and would be aware of the various loopholes that can mean the difference between a successful charge or dismissal of charges.

Tags: DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I didn’t know what was going through my mind when I risked drinking and driving. Because of that, I was caught drunk driving and was charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. I want to have everything that can help me get out of this situation. I want to know, do I need to secure a DUI lawyer if I am guilty of drunk driving?

Jessa

Los Angeles, CA

In Los Angeles, California, you could pay thousands of dollars in fines as a result of a drunk driving charge. You could also end up in jail, even if this is your first DUI charge. One consideration you will need to make when facing a DUI conviction is whether or not to hire a DUI lawyer. Lawyers, as we know, are not cheap. Because of that, you need to make sure that you really need professional help before hiring one.

There are several reasons to consider hiring a DUI lawyer. First, DUI lawyers would help you understand the legal situation you are facing. Remember that a public defender may not tell you all of your options. A DUI lawyer would be able to provide you with information that could keep you out of jail. Understanding the consequences you face could be difficult. A lawyer would make sure you understand exactly which consequences you face, and how you could avoid some of them. A DUI lawyer would also make sure that you file all of the necessary paperwork on time so that you do not end up losing your license prematurely.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My older sister has just been charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. The lawyer said that she stands a big chance of getting the charges dropped and that’s good news for her. But I just want to know, what are the things that I must do if I am caught drunk driving?

Vanessa

Los Angeles, CA

It would be a good lesson for you and your sister not to drink and drive again since she was already charged with DUI. But in case it is unavoidable and if you will be caught drunk driving in the highways of Los Angeles, California, it would also be good to know what you must do.

First is that you can decline in a polite manner from answering questions without your lawyer around. You have to remember that the police report will contain only self-incriminating statements. Don’t undergo any sobriety tests on the field since this is not a requirement of the law. Unless you are younger than 21 years of age, you can refuse to undergo a hand-held breath test that is required by law if you are younger than 21. My advice is that you can agree to undergo a required breath test for evidence if you are confident that your blood alcohol level is below 0.8 percent. Lastly, make sure that your lawyer calls the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver Safety Office not more than 10 days after the incident. Your lawyer should formally ask for a hearing to contest the suspension of your driver’s license.

Tags: DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I have been charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. I’m so concerned about the financial consequences that I might have. I just want to know, what do DUI lawyers charge and will my insurance rate go up?

Martina

Los Angeles, CA

Most people charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California would be concerned about the possible penalties including fines, lawyer charges and insurance rates. The fees for DUI lawyers actually vary. There are a lot of factors to consider like the seriousness of the charge and the number of DUI offenses the defendant has committed. There are some DUI lawyers who charge as little as $350. Most good Los Angeles DUI lawyers charge a minimum of $1000 because of the amount of time involved in reviewing the case and making sure you get the right result and also because of the risk of having to go back multiple times.

Regarding your insurance rates, it would most likely go up. A DUI conviction is reported on your driving record. Your rates will almost certainly go up if your insurance company finds out. In some cases, your insurance company might drop you as a customer and you may have to enter the assigned risk pool, where rates are dramatically higher. It can also be possible that your insurance company would not find out about your DUI charge, and then your rates should not go up.