Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Committed to Representing Our Clients’ Rights When They Are Facing Daunting DUI Charges in Los Angeles County

While we are all encouraged to always drive safely and hand over our keys when we’ve had too much to drink, many individuals believe they are well enough in control of their faculties to operate a motor vehicle without difficulty. In such instances, motorists leave themselves vulnerable to DUI enforcement at sobriety checkpoints and traffic stops. If the driver is deemed to be under the influence according to California laws, they may face potentially life-altering consequences if convicted, even if this was only their first DUI offense.

In other situations, motorists could still face serious consequences even if they never drank a sip of alcohol or touched any drugs before operating their vehicle, such as in cases where a field sobriety test or breathalyzer was not properly conducted or calibrated.

Whatever the unique circumstances of your case, you will find that California’s DUI laws can be strict, and the enforcement of those laws is often without mercy. In DUI cases that result in death or serious injury, the accused is likely to face even harsher penalties, including lengthy state prison sentences and more. Whether this was your first offense or you have prior DUI convictions, you need aggressive representation to protect your legal rights and defend your case in hopes of securing a favorable outcome.

At our law firm, we represent clients in a wide range of criminal law practice areas, including drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, juvenile offenses, white-collar crimes, and DUI charges. We are well-versed in the laws and procedures associated with complex DUI cases, and we are committed to providing dedicated legal counsel throughout the entire process. Contact our office today to schedule your free case evaluation with our legal team.

What Qualifies as a DUI in Southern California?

In California, the legal limit for alcohol when driving is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Anything at or above that level constitutes a DUI. When it comes to drugs, the criteria are more subjective. Law enforcement may use a variety of methods, including roadside sobriety tests or blood tests, to determine whether you are illegally impaired. This standard applies to prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and marijuana.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, the DUI could result in misdemeanor or felony charges. A misdemeanor conviction is generally less severe than a felony conviction, but any convicted defendant will face serious consequences, including a permanent criminal record that can alter the trajectory of their life.

To better understand what constitutes a DUI under California laws, please contact our law firm to schedule your free and confidential consultation with our criminal defense attorneys today.

Do You Have to Get Drunk or High for DUI Enforcement to Consider You Under the Influence? 

Many people mistakenly believe that driving under the influence means that a person operates their vehicle in a state of observable drunkenness or during a state of a noticeable high. However, drivers need not be completely wasted to receive a DUI charge. Under state laws, the alcohol or drugs only need to impair a motorist’s physical or mental abilities to the extent that they are unable to perform the same level of caution that they usually would have if they were sober. The impairment DUI is based on observable signs of intoxication, in which a law enforcement officer will look for indications of impaired mental or physical abilities that affect your capacity for driving safely. You could receive a DUI charge for apparent signs of intoxication, even if your BAC is below the state’s legal limit.

What Types of DUI Defense Criminal Cases Does Our Law Firm Represent?

When you are charged with a crime, including a DUI offense, you need legal representation from attorneys with extensive experience in the related practice areas. Our firm is well-versed in all applicable laws related to DUI criminal cases and regularly stays up to date with any new rules that could impact how a case is argued and defended. As your legal representative, our team will explore all options to develop a winning defense strategy that can potentially dismiss or reduce the charges against you.

Examples of DUI cases we represent include the following:

• Although marijuana may be legal in North Hollywood, that does not mean it is legal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of weed. We represent cases involving allegations of impaired motor vehicle operation due to cannabis use
• California has a strict zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers who consume alcohol. We provide committed legal support to young people and their families in cases involving accusations of underage drinking and driving
• Clients with prior DUI convictions often face harsher penalties for repeat DUI offenses in North Hollywood, CA. We represent individuals who are facing harsh legal consequences after repeated offenses
• Dedicated legal representation for commercial drivers whose very lives and careers are jeopardized by DUI arrests, which could cost them their commercial driver’s licenses. It is worth noting that commercial drivers are held to higher standards in California, and could be charged for a DUI if their blood alcohol content is as low as 0.04%
• DUI offenses involving drivers from other states, who need extra help understanding their rights and the state laws relevant to their criminal offense
• Even if you have a prescription for a certain medication, that medication could still impair your ability to drive safely. Our criminal lawyers represent clients accused of DUI offenses due to lawfully prescribed meds, including antidepressants, pain relievers, and sleep aids
• Legal counsel for clients who refuse to submit to breathalyzer tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests, which could result in significant penalties and potentially an automatic driver’s license suspension
• Our law office represents clients in both felony and misdemeanor DUI criminal cases. DUI offenses are often elevated to felonies when the accused has prior convictions, the incident resulted in injuries, or there were other aggravating circumstances in the case
• When a DUI results in a serious bodily injury to another person, the defendant will often face felony charges. Our legal team can represent your interests both in and out of court in hopes of securing reduced charges
• While first-time offenders typically face far less severe penalties than repeat offenders, you still need aggressive representation to defend your rights, even if this is your first offense
• And more

What Are the Potential Consequences of a North Hollywood, CA, DUI Conviction?

The penalties for a DUI conviction are far-reaching and extend beyond the fines and jail time described by the law. As soon as you are charged with a DUI, the DMV begins assessing whether or not to suspend your license as you await trial. If you have had fewer than 3 DUIs in the last 10 years and there are no aggravating circumstances, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If you have already had three or more DUIs in the previous 10 years or are charged with aggravating circumstances―such as causing injury or death, driving with a minor in the vehicle, having a high BAC, driving at a high speed, or committing another crime during your DUI―your DUI may be charged as a felony.

Even a first-time misdemeanor can carry hefty fines and up to six months in prison, while felonies can result in jail sentences of up to three years. However, the consequences do not stop there. To regain your license, you will need to attend driving classes and may even need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car―both of which you will be responsible for paying for. Add to those the potential career consequences of a criminal conviction on your record, and DUI convictions start to become extremely costly.

What Should You Do at a DUI Traffic Stop in the North Hollywood, CA Area? 

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles County, it is essential to remain calm and cooperative. Any resistance to law enforcement personnel, particularly any signs of aggression, can only hurt your case. However, although we recommend that you remain polite and cooperative, do not go so far as to discuss your alleged offense openly. You have the right to remain silent, and you should use that right to protect your case. Anything you say to the police at a DUI traffic stop could affect nearly every aspect of your case, potentially harming it beyond repair. In addition to having the right to remain silent, you also have the right to retain legal representation. Please contact our law firm as soon as possible to schedule a confidential consultation with our attorneys to discuss your case.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in North Hollywood, California?

After getting arrested for a DUI in North Hollywood, California, the defendant is likely to be taken into custody, where they will be booked and required to submit to a chemical test. Depending on the test results, the defendant may be released on bail or on their own recognizance. After the arrest, the defendant has 10 days to request a DMV license suspension hearing; otherwise, their driver’s license will be automatically suspended.

The first appearance in court is the arraignment before a judge, at which point the defendant will be formally charged and asked to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The plea decision has a significant impact on the trajectory of the criminal case and should not be entered without first consulting with legal professionals.

When the defendant pleads not guilty, their criminal defense attorneys begin crafting a defense capable of dismissing or reducing the charges made against them. Often, criminal attorneys will examine police reports, seek any footage of the arrest, analyze test results, review witness statements, and look for ways to potentially suppress evidence that was obtained without probable cause or a search warrant.

Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help You Prevent a Driver’s License Suspension or Assist You in Getting Your Suspended License Restored?

During a DUI arrest, the police usually confiscate the defendant’s driver’s license in exchange for a pink piece of paper that acts as a temporary license. In addition to being concerned with your criminal case going forward, you must also act within 10 days to schedule an administrative per se hearing with the DMV or risk having your license automatically suspended.

If you have recently had your license suspended or revoked, please contact our law firm to learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you in restoring your driver’s license and driving privileges.

How Can a Dedicated DUI Defense Attorney Help You Fight Back Against Your Criminal Charges?

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, there may be several different types of defense strategies that could be useful to keep you out of county jail, DUI school, community service, and other potential unenviable situations.

Common defense strategies include the following:

• Challenging field sobriety tests, blood tests, and breathalyzer tests, all of which can sometimes be unreliable. If the roadside tests are not administered correctly or the results are misinterpreted, the evidence should be discarded
• DUI traffic stops must be conducted in accordance with the law. If there were procedural errors, the defendant was pulled over without justification, or if other civil rights were violated, the evidence acquired during the stop can be dismissed
• In some DUI cases, the defendant may appear impaired or intoxicated for reasons other than alcohol or drug abuse. Similarly, test results may suggest that an individual is under the influence, even if it is due to other lawful conditions. Our attorneys will raise questions about medical conditions, mouth alcohol, diet, acid reflux, and other conditions that could affect the outcome of a roadside test
• Your lawyers can highlight inconsistencies as they cross-examine witnesses and police officers, which can cast doubt on the evidence presented by the prosecution. We will attempt to show that the prosecutors have insufficient evidence to secure a conviction 
• And more

Contact Our Law Offices to Request a Free Consultation with Our Highly Skilled North Hollywood DUI Lawyers Today

Because DUIs are so common in our society, people are too frequently inclined to take them lightly. Ask anyone who has been convicted of a DUI, however, and they will tell you just how high the stakes are. The attorneys at Wegman & Levin have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome for your DUI case. We will look at the specifics of your case and advise you on the best strategy to protect your future.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal services, please contact our law office to schedule your free consultation with our criminal defense lawyers today. 

You can reach us at 818-495-8330.