San Diego DUI Attorney

Knowledge & Experience When Your Life Depends on It

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence in San Diego County, you probably have a lot of questions.  What kind of penalties are there for DUI?  Do I need to go to court?  How will having a DUI on my record affect my life?  When you have important questions and need to get reliable answers, consult with a San Diego DUI attorney for help.

DUI Penalties

Your San Diego County DUI lawyer can explain the penalties for DUI to you once you have been arrested.  Since driving under the influence is a criminal offense in California, there are several criminal penalties that you can face if you are convicted.  Jail time, ignition interlock device installation, probation, fines, and the loss of your driver’s license are all possibilities.  The number of penalties imposed, and the severity of those penalties, is decided by a number of factors including prior offenses, any property damage caused while driving under the influence, and bodily injuries caused to others while driving under the influence.

There are also administrative consequences for driving under the influence.  When you are arrested, you will receive a 10-day temporary driver’s license.  If you don’t request a hearing within that 10-day period, your driving privileges will be suspended and you won’t be able to drive anywhere.  Because there is such a wide range of penalties, many of which can truly disrupt your life, you should seriously consider working with a San Diego DUI attorney to get the best possible results.

Court Hearings

If you do not make a plea agreement, your case will go to trial, which means you do need to go to court on DUI charges.  You can have a San Diego DUI attorney represent you during this trial; in fact, it’s recommended that you have experienced legal counsel at your side for the duration of your case.  Having an attorney can save you from making some mistakes that could cost you your entire case and result in a conviction for driving under the influence.

Driving Under the Influence Impact

Being charged with DUI does have an impact on your life.  Your driver’s license is immediately suspended, which means you need to take time to attend hearings at the DMV.  Courts often have pre-trial conferences or hearings prior to an actual trial taking place, so you’ll need to take time off from work or school to attend those.  If you are convicted, the penalties you face can cause you to spend time in jail or even lose your job because you have a criminal record.  This is why it’s so important to have a San Diego DUI attorney representing you during your case.