DUI California

A DUI in California can be much more than a mere hassle; it can cause irreparable harm. There are several factors at work in determining the damage a DUI conviction can do. If you're a first-time offender and nobody else was hurt while you were driving, you may have your penalty restricted to community service and a fine. But you will still face legal fees, potential lost wages, an auto insurance rate hike, and a host of other ancillary damages.

Of course, if you end up serving no jail time, your DUI defense can be considered victorious. Still, it's best to hire a great CA DUI lawyer to help you avoid a conviction, especially if you're facing felony charges. Felonies are generally reserved for impaired drivers who injure others or who have a past criminal record. Otherwise, a misdemeanor charge is more likely. Anyone who may fall in between is called a wobbler; a skillful Los Angeles defense attorney can get wobblers to fall in the misdemeanor category.

Specifics of a DUI in California

A DUI in California is only possible if a court can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving while under the influence. While this may sound like common sense, there are several issues that can influence this determination and ultimately spare you a conviction. If your lawyer can prove that you were simply speeding and not swerving or engaging in otherwise dangerous behavior, it is possible to convince a jury that you were sober. In fact, speeding by itself is a sign of sobriety.

A crafty lawyer can also call into the question the arresting officer's ability or inability to follow strict procedure. If a cop pulls you over for a broken tail light and the traffic stop results in a DUI conviction, it is possible to convince a jury that this is unlawful because the cop did not have reasonable suspicion that you were intoxicated. Finally, your lawyer may be able to show that any test equipment used in the stop or at the police station was faulty, which can also win you an acquittal.