Orange County DUI Defense Lawyer

Charged with DUI? Read This!

You never thought it would happen to you. You drink responsibly, you drive safely, you obey the rules of the road. Yet somehow, you find yourself charged with DUI – now you need to know what happens next. You start by looking for a skilled Orange County DUI defense lawyer to represent you, and help protect you during a stressful, difficult time, but you find yourself wondering what might happen.

Always remember, you have both rights and obligations. After you’ve been arrested for DUI, you have the right to defend yourself at a hearing, but you must file for the hearing within 10 days of your arrest. If you plan on using the services of an Orange County defence lawyer, call him before you call the DMV. He can request the hearing on your behalf, and can possibly get you an extension beyond the 10 days. After your arrest, the officer will send take your Driver’s License, and give you a Temporary License in its place. This Temporary License is valid for 30 days from your arrest, as long as your Driver’s License was valid (for example, it wasn’t already suspended or hadn’t expired). The officer will then send the suspension or revocation order, your driver’s license, and any evidence he may have obtained during the stop to the DMV. The DMV will then conduct an administrative review of your case, reviewing the details of your case and decide whether to uphold the suspension or dismiss the charges.

Should they decide to uphold the officer’s decision, you and your Orange County DUI defense lawyer can appeal the decision and bring your case before a judge. Your lawyer will present evidence on your behalf, test the validity of the evidence presented against you, call in expert witnesses and question the officer about his findings. A skilled attorney can have the charges against you reduced, or even dropped.

If, ultimately, you are convicted of DUI, there are certain guidelines that dictate what your sentence will be. A driver of legal drinking age with no prior offenses can get a sentence of four-months, provided he submitted to chemical testing during the stop. Second or subsequent offenses can garner a one-year suspension. These sentences are lengthened if you do not consent to a chemical test, from one year for a first offence, to three years for a third or higher offense. However, various factors can have a role in the sentence that is given to you; your Orange County DUI defence lawyer can argue for more lenient restrictions on your behalf.

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