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.

How does a DUI record affect my chances of being accepted into college? I’ve been caught drunk driving in Los Angeles, California when I was 17 but I’ve abided by the law ever since.

Stan

Los Angeles, California

Having a DUI record or being convicted of DUI will definitely have its impact on how prospective colleges or universities will assess your application. You shouldn’t lose hope though, since it really depends on the gravity of your offense (whether you were charged for misdemeanor or a felony offense) and of course, your willingness to be honest about it during your application or interview. The best way to handle this would be to make sure to disclose this information, explain your situation and make sure that they are aware that you have learned from this experience. Try to pre-empt possible questions about this and how you can answer them effectively and still be able to present yourself in a good light. It’s not just what you say but on how you say it as well.

There are also cases in Los Angeles, California where, with the help of good attorneys, minors who have been arrested for drunk driving have been allowed for expungement, thereby clearing their records. It also helps to show that since the time of your offense, you have been a good, law abiding citizen of the state of California. That being said one of the first things you would like to do is to consult a California DUI attorney that can provide their expertise in getting your record back on track. Note, however, that it may not be possible for all types of offenses to be cleared. Remember, your success in being accepted should come from you’re excellent academic accomplishments so make sure to focus on that during your interview.

Last week, I was surprised by this DUI roadblock in Los Angeles, California and unfortunately, I was arrested for drunk driving. How can I dispute the legality of the DUI checkpoint?

Brice

Los Angeles, CA

Law enforcement officers and attorneys who are arguing for the State throughout the implementation of DUI roadblocks disagreed that the State’s interest was specifically intended to stop drunk driving. Consequently, the legality of DUI roadblocks has been upheld. But just recently, law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys have bragged publicly that DUI roadblocks yield an astronomical amount of revenue from traffic infractions discovered after stopping vehicles at DUI checkpoints.

DUI roadblocks usually yield approximately four DUI arrests and even less DUI convictions. Law enforcement officers have guidelines that they would have to follow in implementing these DUI roadblocks. The DUI roadblock guidelines include a specific method of selection of vehicles, insurance that intrusion on the motorists is kept to a minimum, providing a written set of actions outlining the procedures of the DUI roadblock and proper lighting and notification requirements on the roadway so as not to startle motorists. If the police officer failed to adhere to these requirements upon arresting you in a DUI roadblock in Los Angeles, California, this would often result in evidence being excluded.

If my sister would be released from jail after being arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, California, what do you think is the best thing that she would have to do first and does she need to hire a DUI lawyer?

Sylvester

Los Angeles, CA

Once your sister has been released from jail after being arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, California, the very first thing that she would have to do is to write down everything that she can remember about the night of the drunk driving arrest. These things would include what she was doing and where she was before driving, how much she had to drink, how long after drinking when she was arrested, how the officer behaved and any instructions given to her, what the officer said to her, where she was pulled over, when and if she was read her Miranda rights and when she took the blood alcohol test and how long it had been since she drank. She has to write down everything that she can think of, even if it doesn’t strike her as relevant.

You actually have already mentioned what to do next. Yes, your sister needs to hire a DUI lawyer. She needs and deserves an experienced DUI defense lawyer who will fight for her rights. The single most important thing that she can do for herself is to find a qualified lawyer who knows California DUI law.

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.

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.