I am battling a DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California and still hoping that I will not be convicted. I was told that if I will be convicted for the DUI offense, I would need to get SR22 for my car insurance? What is this and how important is getting this?

Oakley

Los Angeles, CA

Since you have a DUI charge in Los Angeles, California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has suspended your driving license. You would have to obtain SR22 insurance policy to reinstate your license. Your insurance company will provide SR22 filling which serves as a proof of insurance to the DMV. In this way, the DMV is assured that an insurance company has provided at least minimum liability coverage for you. Your insurance company will immediately inform the DMV if the policy lapses for any reason.

In Los Angeles, the SR22 filing period is for three years. But the term can be extended depending on individual cases due to stringent insurance laws in Los Angeles. As soon as the SR22 filing period is over, the insurance premiums will be lower, depending on your driving history. The prices of insurance are based on your driving history and also on your driving experience. It’s great that you can get online quotes for SR22 car insurance from this site.

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.

What are the penalties for second offense DUI in LA California?

Tim

Thank you asking Tim.

Below are the list of information for the second offense penalties of DUI in California:

California Criminal Status: generally misdemeanors fot Non-injury DUIs. DUIs may be elevated to felony status, depending on the circumstances if that result in bodily injury.

Jail: 90-120 days but no more than 1 year mandatory jail time.

California DUI Fines: $390 up to $1,000 fines.

California License Suspension: 1year suspension or revocation of license.

Vehicle Impound: Multiple offender’s car may be seized and disposed.

California DUI School: 18-30 months at a DUI school

California Probation: 3-5 years informal probation

Community Service: alternative to jail time 10 days required for community service.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

How much will it cost to get a lawyer for DWI in Los Angeles California?

Joshua

Thank you for asking Joshua.

In California, the cost of an lawyer will differ much between the amount of experience, the reputation, and the location of their practice. It is usually true that the bigger the city and the more experience the lawyer has, the higher the costs of the lawyer. A detail that may also affect the fees is the amount of time a lawyer commits to each case. A more qualified attorney will also accept fewer clients, and in turn give more attention to each case individually.

In Los Angeles California, fees can range from $500 to $15,000 or more, all depends on the details of the lawyer and the case. A general practitioner who is located in a smaller and less populated community in California might charge between $500 and $1000. Generally, an experienced DUI lawyer with a good reputation will charge $5000 to $8000 if this is your first DUI offense. This fine does include the DMV license hearing as well.

A lawyer could request a retained in advance or just charge a fixed fee, which includes all expenses. Either way, you can and should ask for a written agreement of all the fees. Make sure that you follow all of the terms the lawyer request of you before you make any decisions.

Goodluck!

MariCAR