The Punishments for a DUI Conviction
If a chemical test such as a Breathalyzer test or blood test measures a
driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at .08% or higher, they may
be charged with driving under the influence. Along with heavy fines and jail time, one of the most damaging effects
of a DUI conviction is the mark on a criminal record, especially for an
underage DUI. It can ruin an individual's future opportunities and threaten their career.
A DUI conviction may come with the following punishments:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Years served in jail or prison
- Driver's license suspension
- Probation and community service
- Ignition interlock device (IID)
- Court-ordered drug/alcohol treatment
Each
consecutive DUI charge in your life can result in increased penalties and even permanent
revocation of your driver's license. Learn more about how we help clients facing
multiple DUI charges.
How to Protect Your Driving Privileges
If your license was suspended during a DUI arrest, the officer issues you
a temporary driving permit that usually expires in a month's time.
From the time of the arrest, you only have 10 days to contact the DMV and
schedule a
DMV hearing to appeal your license suspension. If you fail to schedule this hearing, your license could be suspended
for the full term, a period of up to 18 months!
At Hanson, Gorian, Bradford & Hanich, we help our clients protect their
driving privileges by representing their best interests in automatic license
suspension hearings at the DMV. Our Corona DUI lawyer has the skills and
experience that may be necessary to defend your rights and successfully
appeal the suspension at the DMV hearing and during a criminal trial.
If your license is suspended, you are prohibited from driving a vehicle
for work, school, or other responsibilities. Learn more about protecting
driving privileges in
DMV hearings.
What You Should Know About DUI Arrests
First of all, do not give up—a DUI arrest does not guarantee a conviction.
Regardless of the officer's suspicion or the evidence brought against
you, a court of law must find you guilty of the DUI charge. The worst
thing you may do after a DUI arrest is take no action to protect your rights.
We may help you gain a clear understanding of the circumstances of your
arrest and the charges you may be facing. In many situations, multiple
criminal charges may be in play, and our DUI attorneys in Corona are prepared
to handle even the most complex criminal cases for our clients.
Drivers under 21 may be arrested if they measure a .02% or higher BAC!
Learn more our
criminal defense abilities for charges of
underage DUI.
How Officers Perform DUI Stops in CA
Police officers have the right to conduct a traffic stop and question an
individual if they suspect that a driver is under the influence of drugs
or alcohol. There are several indications that officers use to determine whether a
person is intoxicated or impaired. However, while these may be useful
for performing traffic stops, they may not stand alone as incriminating
evidence of intoxication.
Common indicators that police look for include the following:
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Swerving into wrong lanes
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Making wrong turns
The real trouble may begin after the officer stops an individual. They
will look for other indicators of intoxication: smell of alcohol, slurred
speech, bloodshot eyes, open containers, etc. If the officer believes
there is evidence to suspect that a person is intoxicated, the officer
may require the driver to perform a field sobriety test or chemical breath test.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you!
