Irvine DUI Lawyer Richard L. Grant
Do You Need an Irvine DUI (Driving Under the Influence) Lawyer?
Every state, including California, has some sort of “drunk driving” statute. The term “drunk driving” is in quotes because none of these laws require that you be “drunk” or “intoxicated” to be guilty. All that is required is that your ability to operate a vehicle has been impaired to any extent at all or that your Blood alcohol level exceeds the state limit (which is now .08% in all states). Some states call it DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DUI (Driving Under the Influence), but it refers to the same offense. The consequences of DUI differ drastically from state to state and are influenced by your age, blood alcohol limit (BAC), whether you have been arrested for DUI in the past, and whether you caused injury or death during the DUI.
An Irvine DUI Lawyer can help…
Assess your legal situation. An experienced DUI Defense lawyer can help you understand what you are up against and the fines you may be required to pay. An Irvine DUI lawyer mostly deals with DUI matters and knows the process inside and out – including options that a public defender may not tell you. In addition, we offer a free consultation – which may be worthwhile if you don’t understand the process.
Explain the consequences of an Irvine DUI. The consequences of a DUI vary greatly from state to state and an Irvine DUI lawyer will be able to explain how those consequences in California apply to you such as
- harsher punishments for those arrested with BAC limits over .08
- special laws for underage drivers arrested for DUI
- possible community service or plea bargaining
- overlapping jurisdiction of Courts and California's Motor Vehicle licensing department to suspend or revoke your license, and
- contingent license programs that allow you to use your vehicle to get to and from work.
Manage the process. Dealing with Irvine's motor vehicle department can be frustrating and time consuming. An Irvine DUI Lawyer can manage the process for you by completing the required forms; making phone calls; scheduling and/or representing you at an Irvine Motor Vehicle Department suspension hearing, and making other necessary arrangements.
Represent you in court. An experienced Irvine DUI Lawyer knows the ins and outs of the courtroom and may be able to obtain a lesser sentence for you if your situation and California law allow for it.
Don't know if an Irvine DUI Lawyer is right for you? Here are some general guidelines:
Definitely hire an Irvine DUI Lawyer if you have already have several DUI’s and receive another; or if your DUI arrest was the result of an accident or if anyone was injured; or if you are a professional driver whose livelihood depends on keeping your license.
Seriously consider hiring an Irvine DUI Lawyer if you’ve been arrested for a second DUI (in the same or another state) or were arrested with a BAC limit over double California's legal limit as harsher penalties may apply.
You might want to hire an Irvine DUI Lawyer if you don’t understand your rights or California's DUI laws, what you need to do, or the consequences you face. You also might want legal representation if you are in a profession (or plan to be) that requires bonding or in which any criminal conviction might prevent you from getting or keeping a professional license. If you don’t know the requirements, then you need expert advice before handling the case yourself.
If you have been charged with an Irvine DUI, Consult with a Attorney Richard L. Grant TODAY. YOUR LICENSE IS AT STAKE!
California DUI Law Highlights: BAC Levels and Implied Consent (Table 1)| State | "Per Se" BAC Level | "Zero Tolerance" BAC Level | Enhanced Penalty BAC Level | "Implied Consent" Law |
| California | .08 | .01 | .16 | Yes |
DEFINITIONS:
"Per Se" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
As of August 2005, all states have DUI laws that deem "per se intoxicated" any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary.
"Zero Tolerance" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
All states carry "zero tolerance" laws that target drivers under the legal drinking age. These laws penalize persons under 21 for operating a vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their systems (a BAC above 0.0), or with negligible BAC levels such as .01 or .02 percent.
"Enhanced Penalty" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
Many states impose harsher penalties on DUI offenders with a particularly high BAC at the time of the offense, typically .15 to .20 percent. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above their state's enhanced penalty standards will likely face additional jail time, harsher fines, and more severe driver's license sanctions.
"Implied Consent" Laws
"Implied consent" laws require vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical test, such as breath, blood, or urine testing, if suspected of DUI. If a driver refuses to submit to such testing, implied consent laws carry penalties such as mandatory suspension of a driver's license, usually for six months to a year.
California DUI Law Highlights: Selected Penalties (Table 2)
| State | Administrative License Suspension/Revocation (1st/2nd/3rd Offense) | Mandatory Alcohol Education and Treatment/Assessment | Vehicle Confiscation Possible? | Ignition Interlock Device Possible? |
| California | 4m/ 2y/ 3y | Both (Education if under 21) | 3rd offense | Yes |
Note: Persons arrested for DUI in Irvine will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here -- including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time DUI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat DUI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the DUI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.
DEFINITIONS:
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation
The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above the state limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver's license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third DUI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior DUI offense.
Note: the penalties identified here do not include variations for DUI offenders operating commercial vehicles, or drivers who have violated "zero tolerance" and "enhanced penalty" DUI laws (see Table 1). Most states recognize different sanctions for these types of DUI offenses.
Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for DUI offenders can include mandatory attendance at DUI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made "conditions" of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a DUI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program. This chart indicates each state's utilization of alcohol education and treatment/assessment programs.
Vehicle Confiscation
Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a DUI offender's vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat DUI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs. This chart indicates each state's utilization of vehicle confiscation as a penalty for DUI.
gnition Interlock
A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator's BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). DUI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. This chart indicates each state's utilization of ignition interlock devices as a penalty for DUI.
Information
Visit
4 Hughes
Suite 100
Irvine, CA
Call
(949) 582-9394
Fax
(949) 582-9385
Website
www.ocdefenseattys.com
Irvine DUI Lawyer
Irvine Drug Attorney
Irvine CA DUI Lawyers
Richard L. Grant
Our Senior Trial Attorney, Richard L. Grant, has been a California Trial Attorney for more than 25 years. His extensive experience and expertise has been extremely beneficial to fighting for our client’s freedom and legal rights.
Do not waste a moment and call Attorney Richard L. Grant now to speak to him personally and receive a FREE CASE REVIEW about your legal matter.
