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.

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.

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