Reader’s Question:

My mom got arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, California and we are being asked for a large amount to pay for bail. We cannot afford such amount for her release, are there any other options?

Cherry

Los Angeles, CA

There several options should an arrested person for DUI cannot afford to pay the bail for temporary release. One option is what they call a “Bond”. This is implied as a substitute of full amount payment. It is a written agreement that the entire bail amount will be paid if the arrested person fails to appear on court proceedings. You may consult a Bond Agency in Los Angeles, California, but some bond agencies may require collateral before posting the bond because they will be responsible in paying the entire amount if the arrested person jumps out of bail or fails to appear as agreed.

Another option is “Own Recognizance Release”. This may be granted by the court and no bond is needed. The arrested person may be released after signing an agreement promising appearance in court for upcoming proceedings. The court may impose certain conditions and considerations when granting own recognizance release such as the person’s DUI record and/or criminal history, gravity of the DUI offense and ties of the arrested person to family, community and employment. Failure to appear in court after own recognizance release on the other hand may lead to an immediate arrest thus revoking any chances for bail. Getting arrested for DUI is a serious matter as the local government of Los Angeles, California imposes stricter DUI laws. I also suggest that you seek for an attorney knowledgeable in DUI cases to defend your mom. Once everything gets better, I suggest you also try to check out appropriate auto insurance after DUI.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I just got my driver’s license and pretty curious about road regulations here in Los Angeles, California. What are the usual procedures if you get pulled over for drunk driving?

Samantha

Los Angeles, CA

It’s great to know that there are people who want to learn more about the consequences of driving under the influence. This is really helpful in educating young drivers especially in Los Angeles, California about driving responsibilities. In cases where one gets arrested for drunk driving, the person may be taken into police custody. The person will then undergo a process we call “booking”. During this process, the police officer usually takes the person’s personal information as well as search for criminal records if there’s any. The alleged crime information will then be recorded and personal properties may be confiscated such as keys and purse, in which should be returned upon the person’s release. After this, the person may be placed in jail not unless a bail is already decided and paid. The bail amount may be predetermined, through predefined “bail schedule,” or the judge may set a monetary figure based on the gathered criminal records of the suspect. If granted by the court, the person may seek “own recognizance” release, where bail money is not needed. The suspect is then merely released after promising, in writing, to appear in court for all upcoming proceedings. Then, that will be the time that the person seeks legal assistance and hires a DUI lawyer to appear and defend him on court proceedings.

A DUI arrest and conviction is not a minor offense. This may actually lead to negative impacts on auto insurance that you may have. I also suggest that you can check on line websites to check for available post DUI insurance. You can check out premium rates as well as free quotations on this site.

Tags: DUI, DUI insurance, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I have a friend in Los Angeles California who was arrested for drunk driving. Prior to that, we both had signed up for an auto insurance. What would be the possible effect of his arrest to his auto insurance?

Martha

Los Angeles, CA

Most drivers like your friend may wonder what could be the impact of being arrested for drunk driving, especially in Los Angeles, California where DUI and DWI is never tolerated and observe strict policies on driving automotive vehicles. This actually does not only impact your car insurance but as well as your driving privilege. The sad truth is that drunk driving conviction may cause your car insurance company to increase their rates, or worst terminate your policy. Insurance companies formulate their premium rates with risk factors. That means, the higher the risk is, the more they charge you with premium rates. They actually base this on an individual’s driving record. This includes the number of tickets, previous DWI/DUI records and accidents that you had during your driving life.

Your friend is not obligated to report his or her drunk driving arrest to the insurance company, not unless he or she gets convicted or the driver’s license is suspended or revoked in a motor vehicle department administrative action. Your friend will likely be required to file an SR22 or formal certificate of insurance if she/he gets convicted. Because of this, it is critical to consult an insurance professional who is expert about DUI / DWI convictions after drunk driving arrest. Then I also suggest that your friend start looking for an effective and cost efficient car insurance. They offer free insurance auto quotations on this web site by the way.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, drunk driving insurance, DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

How come some car insurance companies want me to get them after I have been convicted with DUI here in Los Angeles, California? Do I have to expect my rates to increase and what is SR22?

Herman

Los Angeles, CA

After your DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California, you probably know by now that the financial ramifications of DUI don’t stop with the fines, assessment and fees that you paid for during the course of the proceedings of your DUI case. You would also be required to provide the court with a proof of insurance (SR22 insurance), which comes from your insurance company. You may consult with your lawyer as to how you can get the SR22 insurance without raising an alert or better yet, go on and get an online rate quote now from this website for your SR22 insurance.

You have to expect increased car insurance rates for many years to come. It would be nearly impossible to avoid increased car insurance rates after a DUI and consider yourself lucky if you are able to maintain your current car insurance at all. A number of car insurance companies want you after your DUI conviction but don’t just jump ship from your current policy until you hear the premium rates that these “high-risk driver” insurance companies offer because they are significantly higher.

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

Reader’s Question:

I need an SR22 auto insurance after being charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. How long do I have to maintain it and how long will my DUI stay on my record?

Virgil

Los Angeles, CA

It’s a good thing that you are now thinking about getting SR22 auto insurance after being charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California. You need the SR22 auto insurance so that you can get your driver’s license back at the end of your suspension period. That is actually a requirement by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to reinstate your driver’s license. You have to carry the SR22 auto insurance for three years under normal circumstances. But the terms can be extended with the presence of stricter enforcement of DMV laws and lobbying against drunk drivers.

The bad part about your DUI charge is that this violation would stay on your driving record for 10 years. It would be rated for points by auto insurance companies for three years, so that would be some relief, but most preferred insurers don’t take drivers with DUI violations, so it may be a long wait until you get that kind of policy. But you can absolutely get a free online rate quote for your SR22 auto insurance from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, DUI, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI conviction here in Los Angeles, California and my ultimate concern now is my auto insurance. How do auto insurance companies handle things such as DUI convictions?

Marcelo

Los Angeles, CA

Your ultimate destiny with regard to your auto insurance after your DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California rests with your auto insurance company. Let’s take an instance like one auto insurance company’s action concerning your DUI depends on which subsidiary you’re with. The auto insurance company would review rate-increase decisions on a case-to-case basis. If you currently have a preferred policy with your insurer and you receive a DUI, the auto insurance company will likely move you to its standard policy for riskier drivers and higher rates.

On another auto insurance company, you may not face a cancellation or non-renewal because of your DUI, but you may face a rate increase. They will also review rates on a case-to-case basis, with multiple factors such as gender, your vehicle model, age and driving history going into your rate. Not only that you will have increased rates because of your DUI conviction, but the premiums on your life insurance may be affected, too. Get an online rate quote now from this website and I am sure you’ll find out great deals for your auto insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI conviction

Reader’s Question:

I know that on my first court date for my DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California, I would have to plead guilty or not guilty for the charge. What other things usually happens during the first court hearing?

Izzie

Los Angeles, CA

Aside from the advisement of your rights, reading the charges against you and entering a plea of guilty or not guilty, there are some other things that would happen on your arraignment or first court date for your DUI charge in Los Angeles, California. This is when the court will decide whether or not to set bail, or whether any preliminary bail amount set by the police must be changed.

You driver’s license will also be confiscated and your California driving privileges will be suspended. If you have refused a blood alcohol test, the judge will schedule an administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if your privileges should be revoked for refusing the test. During the arraignment, the court will also schedule a future date and time for further proceedings regarding your DUI case. The judge would specify what the reason is for the next court appearance or proceedings. The reasons could include a preliminary hearing, a pre-trial conference, pre-trial motions, or trial.

Tags: DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer, DUI trial

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California and I think they have a strong case against me? Do you think I should simply plead guilty to my DUI case?

Jackson

Los Angeles, CA

No, you don’t have to plead guilty to your DUI case in Los Angeles, California even if you think that they have a strong case against you. The truth is that a DUI conviction in the state of California carries significant penalties and ramifications which you will feel for many years if you simply plead guilty to your DUI case. It would be very foolish to assume that there would be no chance of success in a DUI case yet we are repeatedly faced with this common mistake.

Every Municipal Court Judge encourages those who are accused of DUI to retain a DUI defense lawyer at the time of arraignment because they know that there is something that could be accomplished by a defense lawyer in a DUI case. An experienced DUI lawyer would tell you that there are a lot of defenses to DUI charges and the honest truth is that you will never have the advantage if utilizing those possible defenses unless you consult a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer. And I’m pretty sure that any DUI lawyer you consult will tell you that you don’t have to immediately plead guilty on your DUI charge.

Tags: DUI, DUI conviction, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I wonder how police officers work in Los Angeles, California in finding out those who are driving under the influence. How do police officers detect drunk drivers on the road?

Liz

Los Angeles, CA

Building upon a previous research of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), researchers did some interview with officers from across the country and developed a list of more than 100 driving cues that have been found to predict blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. The list was later on reduced to 24 driving cues during three field studies involving hundreds of officers and more than 12,000 enforcement stops. The driving behaviors identified by the police officers are divided into four categories: problems in maintaining proper lane position, speed and braking problems, vigilance problems, and judgment problems.

The cues that are presented in the four categories predict that a driver is under the influence at least 35% of the time. For example, if a driver is weaving or weaving across lane lines, the probability of DUI is more than 50%. But if you observe any of the weaving cues and any other cue, the probability of DUI jumps to at least 65%. This is how police officers in Los, Angeles, California observe motorists to find out those who are driving under the influence.

Tags: DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California and his DMV hearing is in three days. What are the things that are involved in this kind of hearing and where is this held?

Renz

Los Angeles, CA

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing of your brother’s DUI case in Los Angeles, California would take place in a closed room at one the local DMV Drivers Safety Offices. A DMV hearing officer would preside at the course of this hearing. Your brother will be required to be present, along with his DUI lawyer and any witnesses that may be called by either side. The hearing officer should decide three things, all of which should be true before the driver’s license could be suspended. They must prove that your brother was driving a motor vehicle, he was lawfully arrested and his blood alcohol content was at or above a .08% at the time of driving.

Normally, a DUI lawyer would provide the hearing officer with a written legal motion as to why a license suspension should not be imposed. In appropriate cases, the DUI lawyer may call the arresting officer, the defendant and/or their own toxicologists to testify. Questioning the arresting officer at the DMV hearing would generates a transcript that could be used later to negotiate the case with the prosecutor, and/or to prepare the DUI case for a possible trial.

Tags: blood alcohol content, DMV, driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer