Laguna Beach DUI Defense Attorney

If you've been arrested for DUI for the first time, you probably have many questions. You might be wondering what could happen to your license, and what steps you need to take to help protect yourself. Immediately after being charged, there are some time-critical issues that you need to be aware of. If you plan on hiring a Laguna Beach DUI defense attorney to defend you, do so quickly to ensure that you have the skills and expertise of a knowledgeable professional from the start.

Your Drivers License was probably confiscated at the time of your arrest, with a Temporary License issued in its place. This license allows you to drive for 30 days following your arrest, while your case is being handled by the DMV. It's important to know that you only have 10 days from your arrest to apply for a hearing. If you do not file for a hearing, or miss the 10-day deadline, your license will be automatically suspended. Your Laguna Beach DUI defense attorney can file for this hearing for you, and apply for an extension if necessary. In the meantime, the DMV will review the facts of your case, based on the documents submitted by the arresting officer. The suspension order, a sworn report, and any other evidence, such as the results of chemical tests or field sobriety tests will be reviewed. The DMV will decide either to support the officer's decision, or dismiss the charges. If they uphold the decision of the officer, you can bring your case before a judge, provided that you filed for the hearing in time.

There are two key parts of a DUI conviction: administrative and criminal. Administrative sentences involve the suspension of your driving rights, and the information that will appear on your driving record. The criminal portion provides for other penalties, such as fines, jail time, or probation. Discuss these issues with your Laguna Beach DUI defense attorney – he can often move to have these penalties greatly reduced or even eliminated.

If you know the facts, and have expert assistance from a qualified attorney, you stand a much better chance of saving your license and lessening the impact these events can have on your life. DUI is a serious charge, and requires the expertise of someone who knows all the details of Laguna Beach DUI law.

Call (949) 497-1729 for a free consultation.