If charged with a DUI, call an El Cerrito DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 for quality legal representation. A DUI is a serious criminal offense that carries multiple penalties and has repercussions that can last for years, affecting your employment, career and other aspects of your life.

El Cerrito DUI attorneys have vast experience representing DUI defendants. With an El Cerrito DUI attorney, you can expect a thorough investigation of your case and close scrutiny of police testimony as well as breath or blood tests. El Cerrito DUI attorneys have had success in obtaining dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea arrangements in numerous cases.

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Overview of DUI Proceedings

Retain an El Cerrito DUI attorney as soon as possible to ensure you have professional representation at all stages of your case.

• DMV hearing. Although you are entitled to a license revocation hearing with the DMV, it must be requested within 10-days of your arrest. El Cerrito DUI attorneys have prevailed at many hearings that allowed defendants to retain their licenses.
• You and your El Cerrito DUI attorney appear to enter a not guilty plea.
• Discovery and investigation. Your El Cerrito DUI attorney exchanges information with the prosecutor and investigates your case. Motions may be filed to dismiss charges or to exclude evidence. In most cases, El Cerrito DUI lawyers negotiate plea agreements.
• If not settled, your El Cerrito DUI lawyer will vigorously defend you.

DUI Defenses

El Cerrito DUI lawyers are known for possessing comprehensive knowledge of the DUI laws, police practices, current trends, and factors influencing the results of breath or blood testing. El Cerrito DUI lawyers use this knowledge in carefully reviewing the following issues in searching for applicable defenses:

• Possible police misconduct
• Whether your medical or physical condition may have influenced your arrest and BAC results
• Validity and integrity of the breath or blood tests
• Bias, inconsistencies or errors in police testimony, records and reports
• No driving, drinking after driving and other defenses

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary from county to county, especially if aggravating circumstances were present. There are separate penalties for a first, second, third and felony convictions. These penalties are typically imposed:

First DUI or DWI

The usual penalties for a first DUI or DWI are:

1. Jail. 48 hours in jail and up to 6-months; 3-years of probation
2. Suspension of license. Loss of driving privileges for 4 to 10-months though you may be eligible for a restricted license; if BAC testing was refused, the suspension is one year
3. Fines: $390 with costs over $1,800
4. DUI classes: 3-months
5. Insurance and installation: Secure SR-1 insurance and possibly install an interlock ignition system

Second DUI or DWI

Penalties for a second DUI or DWI within 10 years of the first include:

1. Jail. 96 hours and up to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
2. Suspension of license. 2 year suspension with eligibility for restricted license unless testing was refused.
3. Fines: $390 to $1000 but over $10,000 in costs
4. DUI Classe 18 to 30-months
5. Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and Interlock ignition system

Third DUI or DWI

Conviction of a third DUI or DWI in 10 years may include:

1. Jail. 120 days to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
2. Suspension of license. 3 years with restricted license after 12-months
3. Fines: $390 to $1000 and other costs up to $15,000
4. DUI classes. 30-months
5. Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and interlock system

Fourth DUI or DWI

A fourth DWI or DWI could be negotiated to a misdemeanor.by your Gardena DUI lawyer. If a felony, you face:

1. Jail. 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and formal probation for up to 5 years
2. Suspension of license: 4 years
3. Fines: Up to $5000 with associated costs of up to $18,000
4. Habitual traffic offender status. 3 years
5. Mandatory DUI classes. 30-months
6. Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and interlock system

Commercial DUI or DWI

Commercial drivers can be convicted of a commercial DUI or DWI if their BAC is 0.04% so that their need for a Gardena DUI lawyer is imperative.

Penalties include:

1. Jail. Same as for a motorist with a Class C license for first or multiple DUI or DWI offenses
2. Driver’s license suspension.

• Loss of commercial driver’s license for one year, regardless of the vehicle you were driving
• Life-time suspension for a second conviction
• Your Class C license is also affected

3. Fines. From $390 to $1000
4. DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders
5. Insurance and installation. Possible securing of SR-1 insurance and installation of an interlock system

Call a El Cerrito DUI Lawyer

If you were arrested for a DUI, call a El Cerrito DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.