The Trusted Name In Defense Representation Against California DUI Charges
Driving under the influence (DUI) may be a common offense in California, but it comes with serious consequences. Beyond the potential fines, jail time and loss of license, there are additional consequences that can impact your life. Your auto insurance rates may skyrocket, and having a criminal record can close doors to future opportunities, such as certain jobs. You may even find that your personal relationships and community standing are affected.
The reassuring news is that DUI charges are easier to navigate with the help of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney like ours at Zarabi Law. Our team, led by veteran attorney Elliot Zarabi, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. And when you hire our firm, you can be sure your case will never be handed off to a junior associate. You’ll always work directly with one of our dedicated and trial-tested lawyers.
Potential Criminal Consequences For A DUI Conviction
The potential penalties for conviction increase with each offense. A general breakdown includes:
First-time offense.
- Possible jail time up to six months
- Informal probation typically lasting three to five years
- Fines ranging from $390 to $1,000
- License suspension for six months or more
- DUI education courses
Second offense (within 10 years):
- Jail time from 96 hours to one year
- Fines between $390 to $1,000
- License suspension for two years
- DUI education courses of either 18 months or 30 months
Third offense (within 10 years):
- Jail time of 120 days to one year
- Fines consistent with previous offenses
- License revocation for three years
- Mandatory DUI school
The penalties above would be for “standard” DUIs with no aggravating factors. You could face significantly harsher penalties if you were accused of having a high blood alcohol content (BAC), refusing chemical testing, being impaired by drugs, or causing a crash that ended in injury or death or driving with a child (under 14) in the vehicle.
The Details Are Critical In Any DUI Case
In order to fully understand your defense options, it’s important to have an experienced attorney carefully examine the details of the DUI stop as well as any documents from police and prosecutors. Important questions to ask (and answer) include:
- Did the officer have a valid reason to pull you over?
- Do you suffer from medical conditions that could have caused you to fail the field sobriety tests (FSTs)?
- Did the officer make any mistakes or deviate from protocol when administering either the FSTs or the breathalyzer test?
- Was the breathalyzer device accurate, or was it overdue for servicing and calibration?
These cases often involve additional allegations, such as the driver’s refusal to pull over or the driver’s refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test. These should be scrutinized closely, especially if there is no dashcam or bodycam footage to corroborate the officer’s assertions. Our attorneys make the prosecution work hard to proves its case, and we leave no detail unaddressed.
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation Today
Zarabi Law is based in Los Angeles, but our attorneys serve clients statewide. We offer free initial consultations and can typically meet in-person or virtually. To discuss your legal options for free with one of our experienced DUI defense lawyers, call us at 866-385-2925 or submit an online contact form. Se habla español.