Overview of Los Angeles DUI Charges

DUI Defense Attorney in Los Angeles

DUI, also referred to as driving under the influence, DWI, driving while intoxicated or drunk driving, is a criminal offense which involves driving any type of motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This may be characterized by physical or mental impairment, or by the level of alcohol in a driver’s blood (if the level is .08% or higher, the driver may be charged with DUI regardless of his/her physical or mental impairment.)

These charges require the defense representation of an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer, if a defendant wants to have any chance of reaching a case win or dropped charges. This also applies to the DMV hearing, where an attorney will play a key role in helping a driver contest the suspension of his/her driver’s license and also where an attorney can begin preparing a strong DUI defense strategy.

At Okabe & Haushalter, we are experienced in handling DUI cases and apply our knowledge and experience to help our clients reach the best outcome possible.

Los Angeles DUI Arrests and Charges

Following is an example of how a Los Angeles DUI arrest may occur:

• An officer observes behavior of a driver which may indicate drunk driving (swerving, driving too slowly, etc.)
• The officer pulls the driver over and looks for any outward signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, and more.
• If the officer believes the driver may have been drinking and is possibly impaired, he/she will ask the driver to get out of the car and perform one or more field sobriety tests.
• Depending upon the driver’s performance on field sobriety tests, the officer may make an arrest for DUI.
• The officer will take the driver into custody and bring him/her to the police station, where the driver will then be asked to submit to a breath test or blood test to determine his/her blood alcohol concentration.
• The driver’s test results, which indicate his/her estimated blood alcohol concentration, will then influence whether the driver is charged with DUI (although he/she may be charged even with a passed breath/blood test, on the basis of impairment).

Penalties

DUI penalties in Los Angeles are harsh. They may include driver’s license suspension, a county jail or state prison sentence, fines, court fees, DUI school, alcohol or drug treatment, community service, probation and more. For instance, even for a first DUI conviction, with no aggravating factors (such as a high blood alcohol level, or injury caused), the penalties may include:

• County jail sentence of up to 6 months
• Driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months
• Fines and court fees totaling up to $1800 or more
• Probation for up to 5 years
• Community service
• DUI school / alcohol classes for up to 9 months

Consult with a Lawyer Who Can Help!

To gain a better understanding of the drunk driving charges you are facing, and to have the opportunity to avoid the many penalties associated with a drunk driving conviction, it is our recommendation to you that you consult a Los Angeles DUI attorney as soon as you can. By acting quickly, your attorney can get involved early on and have a better chance of meeting with success in defending your case.