South Bay DUI Defense Attorneys

South Bay DUI: Questions and Answers

Why do I need to work with a defense attorney?
While you are not legally obligated to work with a defense attorney of any kind (a public defender or a private attorney), failing to work with a skilled attorney usually results in a negative outcome for your South Bay DUI case. At Okabe & Haushalter, we offer a free case evaluation with a South Bay DUI lawyer at our firm, where you can discuss your case and see how we can help.

What types of DUI cases does your firm handle?
At Okabe & Haushalter, we deal with all types of South Bay DUI charges, including underage DUI, commercial vehicle DUI, multiple DUI offenses, felony DUI, DUI with injury and DUI appeals. Our attorneys handle cases throughout South Bay, including the cities of Torrance, Long Beach, Lomita, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes.

Do I need a lawyer at my DMV hearing?
A DMV hearing is an administrative hearing and is entirely separate from the criminal court process. This means that the State will not provide a defendant with a public defender as representation. However, it is highly recommended that you work with a private South Bay DUI attorney who can represent you at your DMV hearing. This hearing must be scheduled within 10 days of your DUI arrest, and having an experienced attorney at your side can help to guarantee a positive outcome.

How long will my license be suspended if I’m found guilty of DUI?
While this will depend upon your particular case, a standard license suspension for a first DUI offense in South Bay may be 4 to 6 months. A second DUI conviction may result in a suspension of up to 2 years, a third conviction for up to 3 years, and a fourth DUI conviction up to 4 years.

Will I go to jail if I’m found guilty of drunk driving in South Bay?
Different counties throughout Southern California apply different guidelines in regards to mandatory minimum sentences for drunk driving convictions. For instance, a first time DUI offender may face a mandatory minimum county jail sentence of 48 hours. A second DUI conviction may result in a mandatory jail sentence of 96 hours. For this reason, it is important to work with a South Bay DUI defense lawyer immediately – in order to have the opportunity to avoid a mandatory jail sentence.

Do I have to take a blood test or breath test?
After you are arrested for DUI in South Bay, you may be asked by law enforcement to take a breath or blood test. While you can refuse a test, doing so will actually result in the suspension of your driver’s license, for up to 1 year (for a first refusal). According to California’s Implied Consent law, a person who has signed for and received his/her driver’s license has agreed to submit to chemical testing to determine his/her blood alcohol level after a DUI arrest.

Do I have to agree to take field sobriety tests?
No. Field sobriety tests are not mandatory or required by law. You may politely refuse to take these tests, as they are not entirely accurate and may be subject to an officer’s opinion of your performance, rather than by specific facts.

Contact a South Bay DUI attorney at Okabe & Haushalter if you have been arrested for drunk driving in or around South Bay!