These three steps can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your California DUI case.
Being arrested for a DUI is not a fun experience. For most people, it is incredibly scary and overwhelming to be faced with the prospect of being convicted of a crime — and even going to jail. There are many important steps that you can take after being arrested for a DUI to help increase the chances of a successful outcome to your charges.
While following these steps will not guarantee that your case will be resolved favorable, a DUI lawyer in Tustin, CA can tell you that not doing these things can have a significant negative impact on your case. Read on to learn what you can do to maximize your chances of a good outcome to your California DUI case.
Check Your Citation For Important Dates
If you are arrested for a DUI, you will be given a citation that lists the charge or charges against you, and when your arraignment will be. An arraignment is a court hearing where a judge reads the charges against you and gives you an opportunity to either plead guilty or not guilty. Attending your arraignment is not optional; if you fail to appear, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest, or add another charge to the one that you are currently facing.
In some cases, the police may not hand you a citation after your arrest; it may be mailed to you afterwards. Watch your mail carefully to ensure that you do not miss the citation. Once you have it, note the date and time of your arraignment and which court you must go to for the hearing. Be sure to take this document with you when you take the next step: meeting with your DUI defense attorney.
Consult with a DUI Lawyer in Tustin, CA
As mentioned above, being arrested on any criminal charge — including a DUI — is a stressful experience. One way to reduce your anxiety about the charge and maximize the chances of a successful result is through hiring a skilled DUI defense attorney.
A DUI conviction can have a serious impact on your life. The penalties may include fines, a license suspension, mandatory DUI school, community service, probation or even jail time. There may be other consequences as well, such as an inability to obtain affordable insurance or even losing your job. Your best course of action in a DUI case is to hire an experienced DUI lawyer in Tustin, CA to help you fight the charges.
Many DUI lawyers offer free consultations where you can learn about the charges against you and the strength or weakness of the prosecution’s case. A seasoned DUI attorney will typically have a good working relationship with local prosecutors and the court and will often be able to negotiate a favorable deal to allow you to move forward with your life as quickly as possible. Having an attorney can often result in the best possible outcome to your case — and can minimize the impact of a DUI on your life.
Schedule a DMV Hearing
After you have been arrested for a DUI in California, you have just ten days to request a hearing with the DMV. If you do not request a hearing, then your license will automatically be suspended. If you do ask for a hearing, then you will have the opportunity to make an argument as to why your license should not be suspended.
At a DMV hearing, a DMV employee will listen to the case and make a determination about whether your license should be suspended, and if so, for how long. It is a separate, administrative case and does not directly affect your criminal case. However, your DUI lawyer in Tustin, CA can use this hearing as a way to gather evidence and examine weaknesses in the state’s case against you.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in California, don’t hesitate to call the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or email us at dchambers@clfca.com. We offer free consultations, and will aggressively defend your right to freedom.
