How would I know if a lawyer can represent my cousin well on his DUI case here in Los Angeles?

Carinne

Los Angeles, CA

You would know if a lawyer could represent your cousin well on his DUI case in Los Angeles if the lawyer specializes in defending DUI cases only. Keep in mind that being charged with DUI should be taken seriously and you have to give special attention to the DUI laws. If your cousin gets a lawyer who does not specialize in handling DUI cases, he may not be represented well. Make sure that the lawyer is an expert when it comes to defending DUI cases or a huge percentage of the cases he or she has handled are in connection to DUI. Perhaps, this is the only means for you to determine that you are working with a DUI expert.

Your cousin may also want to find out the ranking of the DUI attorney he would hire against other attorneys. Aside from that, he also has to do a background check on the DUI attorney. Try to find out if he or she comes from a respectable law school. Your cousin has to work with a lawyer who knows technical expert witnesses to aid him on his defense. These witnesses could aid in investigating if you have undergone the appropriate police procedures, in accordance to DUI laws and if the chemical test/s were properly administered. Little technicalities like this could be a basis for your cousin to be found guilty or not.

A friend of mine was recently charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California and he doesn’t want to go to trial because he wants to have this over and done with. I heard that he is hoping to have the DUI charges reduced that’s why he is planning to plead guilty. Question is, if his DUI charge will be reduced to wet reckless, will this be considered as a prior in case he gets arrested again for DUI in the future?

Abbie

Los Angeles, CA

You gotta tell your friend that there is a lot at stake if he pleads guilty for his DUI charge in Los Angeles, California and just hope that his charges will be reduced. Yes, there are certain ways that the DUI case could be resolved without proceeding to trial. But I strongly suggest that he seeks professional legal advice first before doing anything he might regret later on. On the other hand, there are some DUI cases that plea bargaining would be appropriate and he has to remember that each DUI case is different, and there are times that admission of guilt to the DUI charge would be in his best interest.

He may have the DUI charge reduced to wet reckless which is an alcohol-related reckless driving. In several respects, wet reckless is no different from a DUI charge which means that if he gets arrested for a similar offense within 10 years, the wet reckless conviction would be considered as a prior DUI conviction. Moreover, most auto insurance companies would treat a wet reckless conviction just like a DUI conviction. But there would be some benefits of having the DUI charge reduced to wet reckless because there would be no mandatory DUI school with this charge and no mandatory driver’s license suspensions or restrictions.

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.

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.