DUI Attorney in Los Angeles
DUI Overview
DUI charges in California are very serious. State laws have extremely heavy penalties for drunk driving. Depending on the type of charge, they generally include jail time and steep fines. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, it is crucial that you immediately contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney. Legal representation is a vital part of the process when you hope to be able to continue driving. Gold & Witham has successfully defended countless individuals who have been charged with a DUI.
There are two specific charges in California law that are typically used in an arrest for DUI:
- California Vehicle Code 23152 (a): driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- California Vehicle Code 23152 (b): driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher.
If a law enforcement officer suspects that you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol due to speeding, erratic driving or other factor, you will be pulled over. You may have certain "field sobriety tests" administered by the officer. You will also be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If your test, which measures blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registers at .08% or above, you will be arrested and charged with DUI, or drunk driving. If you refuse the BAC test, your license will be automatically suspended and the DUI penalties enhanced. Your use of the driver's license includes the implied consent to be tested for alcohol.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
Underage DUI has specific laws. California is a "zero tolerance" state in regards to underage drinking and driving. An individual who is under 21 and is found to have a BAC level of .01% or above will be charged with DUI. This is never a charge to attempt to handle without a qualified and experienced DUI lawyer.
From the time of your arrest you have only 10 days in which to request a DMV hearing. This is an administrative hearing in which it is determined whether to suspend or revoke your license, based on the evidence provided by law enforcement. If you do not schedule this hearing, your license will automatically be suspended. These DMV hearings, which are often done by phone, are best handled by a skilled DUI lawyer. There are certain factors that the attorney can bring forward in order to protect your ability to drive. Most individuals on their own would not know what to do or say at a DMV hearing. Having a seasoned DUI lawyer from Gold & Witham can greatly enhance the possibility of a good outcome in the hearing.
The DMV hearing is not your DUI charge. The DUI charge is handled in court. This is when your sentence is decided. The prosecutor, with the backup of law enforcement, has the full intention to convict you on your drunk driving charge. The attorneys at Gold & Witham are experienced negotiators and many cases have had the charges dismissed or reduced. When you are facing the full force of the California legal system, it is strongly advised that you have an attorney fighting for you.
There is no test that is completely flawless and without error. Field sobriety tests are based on the observation of law enforcement and are not a scientific test. The BAC testing equipment has specific maintenance to keep it tested and in working order. There are many cases where the breathalyzer testing instrument was found to be faulty. In such cases, an individual charged with DUI may have not consumed any alcohol at all. Investigation of the circumstances of your arrest is the job of a dedicated and aggressive DUI lawyer.
There are various legal approaches to any drunk driving charge. It is crucial that you talk to an attorney at Gold & Witham and determine what can be done in your case. Your future freedom may depend upon it.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI Attorney from Gold & Witham if you seek quality, experience and a track record of success in DUI defense cases.
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