Should You Hire A DUI Lawyer?
Have you had a run-in with the law in Los Angeles recently? Did you get boozed up before getting behind the wheel and was pulled over? If it is your first time to get a Driving Under Influence (DUI) ticket, it will be challenging to deal with the situation effectively.
DUI laws have become strict over the years, and these are particularly severe in California in recent years. The first times are always frightening because you do not have any idea how to proceed in the court and trial. So, to resolve the DUI charges in Los Angeles with the minimum penalty, you need to find someone with an inner knowledge of the system, i.e., DUI Lawyer.
The penalty for DUI charges is more strict for second and third offense, and this is why it is important to have a knowledgeable source on your side to defend you if your case goes to trial.
If you are thinking about whether you should hire a DUI lawyer Los Angeles, this article is for you to make a right decision at the right time.
Whether You Should Plea Bargain?
If it is your first non-injury offense and the chances of conviction are high, plead guilty is the most appropriate way to deal with the case. The first-time charges in which the Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) level is between 0.8 to 0.11 receive almost standard penalties and fines. Therefore, you do not need a lawyer to plead you guilty and get the standard sentence.
However, there are two situations in which hiring a lawyer can help you to get the minimum sentence and can save you from the severity of DUI convictions. If your blood-alcohol level was higher than 0.15, your chances of conviction are 100%, and you will get more severe punishment than standard convictions. The monetary fines and the jail time will both be increased. A lawyer can help you to plea bargain and reduce your sentence.
If your BAC level was around 0.8 or 0.9 and there is uncertainty in the tests or circumstances, a DUI lawyer Los Angeles can contest the charges and can reduce your conviction to a smaller offense like ‘Reckless driving.’ The reckless driving is still a misdemeanor in California, but its sentence is far less strict than the DUI conviction.
So, consulting with a lawyer and talking about the facts of your case can help you identify your options and whether you should plea bargain yourself or have an attorney to represent you.
Subsequent Offense After First Offense
The case becomes particularly difficult for subsequent offenses after the first offense or if there is damage to property or injury involved. In subsequent offenses, you cannot reply to any other person than an experienced DUI lawyer Los Angeles to navigate the process of trial for you and to check the prospects of sentence bargaining. The fines can go up thousands of dollars in case of second or third offense and incarceration period is also increased. You can face longer suspension period and may have to sign up for more rigorous rehabilitation programs.
So, whether it is your first offense or you have received charges before as well, a lawyer is your aide. It is better to consult a lawyer specializing in DUI before you appear before a judge.
