The length of time it will take to resolve your DUI case depends on a number of factors.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you are probably feeling overwhelmed by what will happen next. Will you lose your license, or go to jail? How will you pay the fines? More than anything, you may be wondering how quickly you can get your case resolved so that you can put this behind you and move forward with your life.
A skilled DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can tell you that every DUI case is unique. There are many factors that influence the answer to each of these questions, from whether you will lose your license to if you will go to jail to how long it will take for your case to be resolved. In some situations, a DUI case can take more than a year to be completed, from the initial arrest to the final sentencing. But even after sentencing, you will still have to complete the terms of your sentence, which may include some jail time, mandatory DUI school, community service and probation in order for your case to be completely settled and for you to move past your DUI conviction.
Because the facts of each DUI case are different, it is difficult to predict how long it will take to resolve an individual DUI case. More serious cases — such as those that involve the death of a person related to the DUI — often end up going to trial, which could drag the process out for multiple years. However, even misdemeanor DUI cases could take substantial time to resolve. The prosecutor has up to one year to file charges in a misdemeanor DUI case after your arrest, and up to three years to file charges for a felony DUI. That means that you could be left in a state of limbo for quite a while after you are arrested, waiting to learn if you will be charged with a DUI. An experienced DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can work with the prosecutor in your case to attempt to convince him or her to not file charges, if possible.
If charges are filed, there are multiple steps in the court process itself, including the initial arraignment, any hearings involving evidence suppression and motions. You may be required to attend multiple court hearings. Your attorney will need to review evidence from the police, talk to witnesses, and potentially retain expert witnesses. If your case goes to trial, the trial date will have to be set by the court, based on the court’s schedule. Finally, even if you are found guilty at trial, you may be able to appeal the case, which means that it may not be resolved for several more years.
While it can be frustrating to not reach a quick resolution to your DUI case, because a DUI can have a lasting impact on your life, it is more important that you get a good outcome than a quick one. A top notch DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can make sure that your case is handled properly and that you get the best possible defense. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to learn more about how our team of professionals can help if you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas. We offer free initial consultations, and will fight for your rights and freedom.
