A First Time DUI Charge In California

Were You Charged With A DUI?

Being placed in handcuffs is no doubt a terrifying experience. Regardless of what condition you are in at the time of your arrest, fear is likely one of the emotions that you will deal with. What happens next? How do I get out of this? Am I going to lose my license? You will have so many questions and it can be hard to take a deep breath and figure out your next steps. It is vital that you have an experienced Los Angeles County DUI Attorney at your side to help you navigate the process. So what do you need to know? Let’s go over some details that you need to be aware of.

What Constitutes A DUI Under California Law?

You are innocent until proven guilty. The state has to meet the burden of proof before you can be convicted of a DUI in California. Was your Blood Alcohol limit more than the legal limit of 0.08%? Were you the actual driver of the vehicle in question? Your DUI Lawyer may argue that you were not the actual operator of a motor vehicle, or, alternatively, your attorney may even argue that the car was parked and not even running. Meeting the burden of proof may be difficult for the prosecution, especially if you have a will healed DUI defense strategy.

DUI Penalties For A First Offense

The simple fact that this is your first DUI does not mean that the penalties are any less severe. Driving Under the Influence in California is a serious crime. A First-time offender does not necessarily have an easier process that that of one who has a second or third offense DUI.

Let’s look at some possible penalties after a DUI Arrest:

• Your license can automatically be suspended for six months.
• Three months of Required Alcohol Counseling that can be extended for up to nine months.
• Possibility of probation anywhere from three to five years.
• Hefty fines, the amount of which will change depending on what county the offense occurred in.
• Possible jail time or work release depending on the county in which the offense occurred.

Sure, it’s possible that a first time DUI Charge will not result in a jail sentence or extended license suspensions but the fact remains, you will have a record and that record will affect you for the rest of your life. Having a criminal conviction can affect your personal life, work-life, educational life and future opportunities. If this is your first DUI charge, you want to be well represented by an experienced California DUI Attorney.

Contact the Law Offices of Donald J. Matson, P.C. Today

Get help from an experienced DUI defense lawyer, call Donald J. Matson, P.C, today for a consultation at (626) 600-3437.