Sunset Beach DUI Attorneys
Sunset Beach DUI Attorneys
Looking for the best DUI Lawyers in Sunset Beach, CA? We can help. Call DUI Legal Help to speak with an attorney right now.
DUI Lawyers
Sunset Beach, CA
DUI Lawyers
Sunset Beach, CA
If you have recently been arrested or charged with a DUI offense DUI Legal Help will connect you with a top rated Sunset Beach DUI attorney prepared to help you. A DUI conviction can result in fines and jail time, as well as a criminal record that makes it difficult to travel, get hired or even keep your job. An experienced DUI lawyer may be able to reduce the severity of your charges, block incriminating evidence against, negotiate the lightest possible sentence or help you get through this free of charge.
1. Arrest and Booking
During the arrest phase an officer in Sunset Beach will ask you to take a preliminary breath test. You will then be taken to a hospital, police station or jail where they measure your blood alcohol level through either a blood test or a breathalyzer. Next your license will be taken from you and you will be given a temporary license that will expire in 30 days.
2. Hiring A DUI Lawyer in Sunset Beach
The sooner you find a lawyer, the better it will be for your case. Start looking for lawyers immediately after your arrest. Here’s where DUI Legal Help can assist. We’ll connect you with a top rated Sunset Beach DUI legal specialist immediately. You’ll work with a team that intimately understands what you’re going through and the road ahead.
3. Administrative Suspension and DMV Hearing
“Administrative Suspension” requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to have your license suspended immediately after your arrest. This can be fought by filing a request for a hearing with the DMV within 10 days of the arrest. You’re Sunset Beach DUI lawyer will make a case in favor of “no suspension”, so that you can keep your license.
4. The Arraignment (First Hearing)
The first legal proceeding in your court case is called an arraignment. This is when the prosecutor and your lawyer will be required to present their case in front of the court. During the arraignment you will enter a plea of guilty, no contest or not guilty. Your DUI lawyer will likely compel you to plead not guilty. The arraignment is not a trial and there is no jury at this time, so the proceedings are relatively short.
5. Pre-Trial
During the pre-trial phase, the prosecutor must provide your Sunset Beach DUI lawyer with all of the evidence against you. This gives your lawyer the a chance to investigate the information and find opportunities for a strong defense: Were your rights honored throughout the process? How was the evidence collected? Are there any red flags with regards to the blood test/breathalyzer test? During this stage, all cards are laid out on the table DUI cases are generally resolved.
6. Trial
If your case doesn’t seem to be getting resolved during the pre-trial phase, your Sunset Beach lawyer will recommend going to trial. At trial, both sides have an opportunity to present their cases. Entering a court trial can be risky because the outcome is either winning or losing. Your lawyer’s job is to raise doubt in the jury’s mind and help you receive an acquittal.
What You Say
When a police officer in Sunset Beach pulls you over in suspicion of driving under the influence, they may ask questions such as “How many drinks have you had tonight?” or “How many drinks did you say you had?” Your statement can ultimately used against you in court. In order to avoid incriminating yourself, you should provide no information when questioned by police and request to speak with a lawyer.
Blood Alcohol Content
You will be asked to take 1 of 3 tests if you decline a field sobriety test. Breath-testing or breathalyzers is the most common way law enforcement officers estimate blood alcohol content (BAC) because they are lightweight and portable, as well as provide immediate results. The second most common type of test is a blood test. Refusing a mandatory blood test could lead to consequences such as losing your driver’s license.
Your Actions
Sunset Beach law enforcement officers are trained to note any physical or behavior signs that may indicate you are driving under the influence. Some common behaviors include difficulty getting out of the vehicle, lack of balance and coordination, difficulty reaching for your drivers license/car insurance, or inappropriate behavior towards a police officer (being aggressive, irritable, sobbing or crying etc.).
Sobriety Test
If the officer observes signs of DUI, they will most likely ask the individual to perform a DUI field sobriety test (FST) to determine if they are actually drunk. An example of this may include blowing into a breathalyzer or reciting the alphabet backwards. These procedures are voluntary and the individual is welcome to decline if they wish.
Driving Patterns
The National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration board (NHTSA) has identified 24 “cues” that tend to be associated with a DUI. The most common causes directly correlated to DUI cases include extensive weaving, swerving, and driving over/under the speed limit by a significant amount. In Sunset Beach DUI cases, evidence against you will likely include the officer’s testimony about mistakes you made while driving.