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Payment Plans California DUI Laws, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Offense
You Need to Hire an Experienced Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
Los Angeles DUI lawyer, David Chesley, and his team of experienced DUI lawyers are dedicated to providing you with the best criminal defense representation to obtain the best possible outcome in your criminal case.
If you are arrested for or accused of a DUI offense, California has one of the strictest DUI laws frameworks in the country and has imposed severe penalties for DUI/DWI offenses including jail time, monetary fines, suspension of driving licenses, and DUI schooling and/or rehabilitation program. According to the Wallethub study, California ranks on 21st on the scale of overall strictness of DUI laws and 19th position for strictest criminal penalties.
While it is good to research about the DUI penalties in California if you have a recent run-in with the law, information cannot defend you in the court, but a Los Angeles experienced DUI lawyer can. It is difficult to navigate the confusing and challenging police and court system on your own. You need the services of our aggressive criminal defense lawyers that understand the gravity of the situation and leave no stone unturned in resolving it successfully.
Factors Affecting DUI Penalties in California
The penalty for DUI offense is a combination of jail time, suspension of driving license, fines, and DUI schooling. The severity of the sentence for DUI criminal offense depends on two main factors.
A DUI in California is usually charged with a misdemeanor, but in some instances, it can be charged as a felony with more harsh sentences. Even though most of the cases are charged with a misdemeanor, the charges can become a part of your criminal record and will come up in your background check. If you want to come out clean in a DUI situation or want the penalty to be reduced to a minimum, you should consult with one of our Los Angeles experienced DUI lawyers.
When is a DUI charged as a Felony in California?
There are three instances in which the charges are enhanced and DUI is charged as a felony. These three situations include,
Penalties for a DUI Misdemeanor in California
1st Offense DUI Misdemeanor in California
If it is your first run in with law involving DUI and does not involve any serious injury to other or property damage, you are most likely charged with 1st offense misdemeanor. You can face penalties up to,
*A restricted license allows you to drive to and from work, school, or university. However, you will need a well-prepared defense by a knowledgeable lawyer to apply for restricted license.
2nd Offense DUI Misdemeanor in California
A second offense is that when you are facing DUI charges within 10 years of your first offense. A 2nd offense received harsher sentences than a 1st offense, but it is still usually charged as misdemeanor. The following penalties can be imposed for 2nd offense;
*A restricted license allows you to drive to and from work, school, or university.
3rd Offense DUI Misdemeanor in California
A 3rd offense within the 10-year period can lead to strict DUI penalties. If you are convicted for 3rd offense, the penalties can be,
4th Offense DUI Felony (incl. subsequent DUI felonies) in California
A fourth or any subsequent DUI offenses are charged as felonies. The felony is the strictest level of penalties and a person facing DUI felony can face penalties including,
Circumstances Involving Injury or Death of Another Person
The cases involving death or injury of another person are strictly dealt by California’s DUI laws. A person with DUI with injury can either be convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony based on the assessment and analysis of circumstances. The following sentences are imposed for DUI injury cases.
Misdemeanor DUI with Injury in California
If the DUI resulted in injury of another person and you are convicted of misdemeanor, the sentences can include;
Felony DUI with Injury in California
If you are convicted of a felony in a DUI injury or death case, the penalties are;
Our Experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you!
No matter what the circumstances of arrest are, At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our aggressive DUI defense lawyers are ready to offer you a free consultation. In a DUI case, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, you need professional legal representation to get charges dropped and ensure minimum sentence.
Contact us for help
A DUI conviction can have devastating impact on your personal and professional life. A conviction will lead to a permanent mark on your criminal record and will also affect your driving record. One of our experienced California criminal defense attorneys will give you an upper hand in avoiding both. At the Law Offices of David Chesley, we invite you to contact us for your free initial consultation. During this consultation we will help you explore all the options available to you when fighting a DUI or any other type of criminal charges.
To set up a free consultation or if you have any questions, contact us through our website or give us a call. One of our expert California criminal defense lawyers will be waiting to speak with you. Call us today at 1-800-755-5174.
