By author on July 21st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My son just got arrested for DUI . 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.
By author on July 20th, 2008
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 hire 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.
By author on July 17th, 2008
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.
By author on July 11th, 2008
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.
By author on July 8th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Finding a DUI lawyer was very hard for me when I had to hire one for my DUI case here in Los Angeles, California. Now, I’m facing a bigger challenge battling my case. My lawyer is good but still, I know that I committed a mistake. If I will be convicted for DUI, which I might have to be ready for, what are the fines that are involved?
Anthony
Los Angeles, CA
A DUI charge is a serious offense and invites strict law enforcement through penalties such as fines, probation and if the case is severe, imprisonment. Signs of driving the influence vary and include stopping in a traffic lane for no reason, swerving and weaving and minor and major traffic accidents.
In the state of California, DUI invites stiff penalties, fines and punishment. The fines vary by the frequency and nature of the crime. For first time DUI offenders, the fines would be between $250 and $500. A second DUI conviction within a period of five years may have a fine between $500 and $1000. It would be mandatory also for DUI offenders to take a DUI education course. Keep in mind that these fines and penalties are aggravated with factors such as the confirmation of extremely high blood alcohol content or the presence of a child under 14 years of age in the car.
Surely, it will never be worth it to get behind the wheel after drinking if you think about the penalties and fines involved if you will be convicted of DUI in Los Angeles, California.
By author on July 8th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My cousin Brennan was charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California. I want to help him in all possible ways I can. How can my cousin win his DUI case?
Sheryl
Los Angeles, CA
There is a lot of information your cousin needs to know if he wants to win his California DUI case. One of the significant things he should do is to hire an experienced Los Angeles, California DUI attorney. DUI is a criminal offense so he will need someone who has a great deal of experience and is highly qualified so that he has the best chance of winning his DUI case.
Several DUI lawyers offer initial consultation so that your cousin could find out what it will be like to work with them before he commits. Once he has selected a lawyer, he needs to pay a retainer fee so that the lawyer can commit to working with him. His lawyer would help him prepare for his case and will represent him at any court proceedings. This help is of great value so be sure to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the arrest.
By author on July 7th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
A friend of mine was suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol here in California. He already arrived home when the police arrested him. They said that they were responding to a call from a “concerned citizen” reporting that my friend had been driving while intoxicated. Does the state of California allow warrantless entry into homes of DUI suspects? I’m just curious because it doesn’t seem fair.
Lindsay
Los Angeles, CA
DUI law has long been prevalent with exceptions to the Constitutional limitations applied to most criminal investigations. I totally agree with you that this doesn’t seem fair. But our opinion will no longer matter because in California, the Supreme Court allows warrantless entry into homes of DUI suspects. Ruling 6-1 back in June 1, 2006, the California Supreme Court took exceptions to our Constitutional protections to a new level, allowing law enforcement officers to enter a DUI suspect’s home without a warrant to make an arrest.
The Supreme Court agreed with the prosecution’s claim that the possibility that the defendant could consume more alcohol (or have consumed more alcohol) during the delay and that the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol created “exigent circumstances”. They said that the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol would always result in “destruction of evidence”.
By author on July 7th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Hiring a DUI lawyer might cost me and my husband a fortune. He was charged with DUI in California and we are still determining whether or not we will hire a DUI lawyer. What can we benefit from doing so?
Jasmine
Los Angeles, CA
Remember that DUI is a criminal offense and extremely strict penalties are awarded for people convicted with DUI. The driver’s license of the person can also be confiscated and suspended aside from vehicle impoundment or fines. An efficient Los Angeles, California DUI lawyer can provide assistance in dealing with charges surrounding DUI and obtaining bail.
An experienced DUI lawyer is well familiar with DUI charges, causing accidents related to DUI and penalties that may be inflicted. He/she can be able to help you challenge your husband’s DUI case. Yes, an efficient and experienced DUI lawyer may be expensive but there are many DUI lawyers who provide quality service for lower prices.
A lot of DUI lawyers also work on contingency basis. The fee is always set at a prearranged percentage of whatever the compensation amount might be when the contract to pay a lawyer in case of a DUI is based on contingency. The person does not have to pay the lawyer’s fees if the case is lost. Paying on contingency can have people hire the services of an expensive attorney, though they may not be in a position to pay for it. This would allow them the opportunity to have of the services of an experienced lawyer at a minimal fee.
By author on June 26th, 2008
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.
By author on June 24th, 2008
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.
