Arrest for DUI can be a scary thing: don’t panic. There are things you can do to work to ensure your fair treatment. First things first, hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. A great attorney will work to get you the best outcome possible from your case.
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What to Do First After DUI Arrest
There is an lot of circumstances that lead to an arrest for a California DUI / DWI or drunk driving. For example, maybe you and your date shared a bottle of wi
ne at dinner. Sadly, in your excitement to get home, a police officer pulled you over for speeding. If the officer detected the smell of alcohol on your breath, now you’re in trouble. Or, let’s take another situation, maybe you had one too many at a friend’s wedding. A police officer pulls you over when you fail to come to a complete stop somewhere. The point is that a drunk-driving arrest happens to almost anyone at any time. When it does happen, a call for a California DUI attorney is a must.
While you may have feelings of distress or anger following your arrest, do not bury your head. Waste no time in hiring qualified California criminal defense lawyers or a DWI criminal defense lawyer. Wasting time will likely result in a suspension of your driver’s license by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you or someone you know is facing a charge of driving under the influence, you need legal assistance. You may need to locate someone who remains in custody, and you will need to locate a bail bondsman. Consequently, a lawyer that specializes in California DUI laws can help you navigate the confusing California system.
Custody and Bail
It is not always simple locating a friend or loved one who is in custody. Without the right information, it can feel downright impossible. When attempting to locate someone it is helpful to have the individual’s full name, birth date, and booking number from the arrest.
Most often, one is released on their own recognizance (OR) following an arrest for a DUI / DWI in California. This means that a person is free to go but must return to court for their arraignment. There is a great deal of trust here, as there is no bail paid. However, this does not mean that they are not in need of California criminal defense lawyers.
With this said, there are circumstances in which a person is held in custody until they pay bail. In such cases, locating a dependable bail bondsman is crucial. The bondsman can help secure the rapid release of the suspect. Additionally, the bond helps speed up the beginning to his or her defense. Typically a bail bondsman requires a down payment equal to ten percent of the total amount of bail.
DMV Case and California Criminal Case
A DUI / DWI charge in California actually results in two separate cases. You will face a California Department of Motor Vehicles case and a California criminal case. Each case needs to happen as soon as possible in order to avoid unnecessary negative repercussions.
In California DMV cases a person accused of drunk driving has ten (10) days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing. If this doesn’t happen, the DMV automatically begins a process of suspending the person’s license to drive.
In the criminal case involving driving under the influence, the first step is the arraignment. At the arraignment, you enter a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest. Remember, you don’t have to enter a guilty plea. An experienced California DUI attorney can fight your case and win. However, they must know the California DUI laws in every detail.
Hire Great Counsel
Oftentimes, it takes costly resources to fight a CA DUI / DWI case, and the issues are complex. It is possible to win a case with the right legal counsel with a great strategy. Success can happen in both the DMV hearing and the criminal drunk driving case.
The Kavinoky Law Firm employs the best DUI lawyers in Los Angeles. Call for a free consultation anytime with a top criminal defense attorney in California. Call 24/7 – 365 days a year. We’re here to fight for you.
