Expected Consequences of a DUI
The penalties in a California DUI case can be life-changing, even if it is a first-time offense. You may be required to pay steep fines, spend time behind bars and lose your license for an extended amount of time. It can take a toll on your financial life, as well as your mental well-being and the mental well-being of your family. However, you do not have to face these charges on your own. A San Jose DUI attorney knowledgeable about the ins and outs of California driving under the influence laws can make a major difference in your case, as well as educate you on the uphill battle ahead.
If convicted of a DUI, you can pay fines that can total $1,500 after mandatory assessment fees are included. Your drivers’ license can be confiscated at the scene of your arrest, and in order to get it back you will be required to request an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days of losing it.
Even then, your license can still be suspended for up to six months, something you may not be able to afford if you use your car to get to and from work or even use it for work. You can also face up to up to six months in jail, and probation with the minimum jail sentence being four days. There is also a possibility that you will be placed on probation, and you want a DUI attorney in San Diego by your side to prepare the best defense to either get you acquitted or the minimum possible penalties.
In California, what are called “enhancements” can also be included in the DUI charges. For example, a minor under 14 years of age as a passenger in the car with you can lead to a higher charge and harsher penalties. Speeding of 30 MPH above the limit on the highway and 20 MPH above the limit on the streets can also lead to enhancements, as can two or more prior DUI convictions in the last 10 years. A strong case by a San Jose DUI lawyer is what you need to avoid harsher penalties in enhancement situations.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can be life-changing for you and your loved ones. You already regret the mistake of getting behind the wheel after drinking. If you do not want to regret it for years to come, call a DUI lawyer in San Jose today for a professional defense against these charges.