Being charged with DUI can be a scary situation. If you’ve been pulled over for drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs, you need a skilled Glendale DUI lawyer by your side.
Simmrin Law Group has several experienced DUI lawyers who will listen to your story of what happened and take your side. We can work to get the charges reduced or dismissed. Our goal is to get you a favorable outcome, and we have decades of experience.
Our Glendale criminal defense lawyers defend clients who are first-time offenders or repeat offenders. Our criminal defense team can help you present your legal defense and complete the steps necessary to protect your driver’s license from suspension after a DUI charge. Call us today!
Blood Alcohol Content Levels
California has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% for when you’re driving a motor vehicle. If your BAC is above that level, you will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). However, other limits have been set by the California legislature in addition to the 0.08% rule.
- Commercial vehicle drivers: Must have a BAC below 0.04%
- Drivers under the age of 21: Must have a BAC below 0.01%
Refusing a breathalyzer test to determine your BAC could leave you facing a year-long suspension of your driver’s license. It is sometimes better to take the test since there are ways for a skilled DUI attorney in Glendale to dispute the results.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Glendale, call (310) 896-2723
Possible DUI Penalties
DUI penalties in California depend on whether this is your first offense and other circumstances. While a first-time offense may be treated as a misdemeanor, subsequent offenses may be treated as felony offenses, with harsher penalties attached. Remember that if you drive for a living, you face a potential loss of work on top of legal penalties.
Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs are much the same as for a DUI conviction involving alcohol. Aggravating factors such as causing a collision while driving under the influence—especially if a property is damaged or a person is injured or killed during the incident—will impact the severity of the charges.
If your DUI accident led to fatal injuries, you may face charges of DUI manslaughter or even DUI murder if the prosecutor can prove you were aware of the potential consequences of your actions. A Glendale DUI attorney can explain the ramifications of the charges against you and prepare a legal defense.
First Offense DUI
For a first-offense DUI in California with no aggravating factors under Vehicle Code § 23152, potential penalties include:
- Three to five years of informal probation
- $390 to $1,000 in fines, plus penalty assessments
- Three or nine-month license suspension (higher for those under 21)
- Three or nine-month DUI school enrollment
- Up to six months in county jail (minimum 96 hours if over 0.20% BAC)
- Installation of ignition interlock device
Second Offense DUI Within Ten Years
If convicted of a second DUI offense in California within ten years per Vehicle Code § 23540, harsher penalties may include:
- Three to five years of formal probation
- $390 to $1,000 in fines plus penalty assessments
- Two-year license suspension
- 18 or 30-month DUI school enrollment
- 96 hours to one year in county jail
- Ignition interlock device for one or more years
- Up to five years of habitual traffic offender status
Third Offense DUI Within Ten Years
A third DUI offense in a ten-year period per Vehicle Code § 14601.3 is an aggravated misdemeanor bringing even tougher sentencing:
- Three to five years of informal probation
- Up to $1,000 in fines and penalty assessments
- Three-year revocation of driving privileges
- 30-month court-approved alcohol program
- 120 days to one year in county jail
- Ignition interlock device for two years
- Five-year habitual traffic offender status
Felony DUI Penalties
If the DUI involved injuries under Vehicle Code § 23153, or if you have four or more priors in the past ten years, you could face felony charges:
- Up to four years in state prison
- Up to $5,000 in fines
- Five years formal probation (driver’s license revocation)
- 18 to 30 months in a DUI education program
- Ignition interlock device requirement
- Habitual traffic offender designation for three years
In addition to fines, jail time, classes, and license impacts, all DUI convictions add “strike” priors under California’s Three Strikes Law that can escalate future charges. Underage DUI, excessive speeding, hit-and-run, and driving with a high BAC level over 0.15% or 0.20% may incur enhanced penalties.
With so much at stake from a DUI charge, even first offenders need to retain an experienced Glendale DUI lawyer to avoid the maximum punishments. Having skilled legal counsel is crucial for protecting your rights, driving record, and future from the devastating impacts a conviction can bring.
Ignition Interlock Devices (IID)
Los Angeles is one of four pilot counties in California in which the use of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is mandatory if you are convicted of a DUI. The Ignition Interlock Device is a breathalyzer in your vehicle that will require you to blow a BAC below the legal limit for your car to start.
It doesn’t matter if you live in another county that is not one of the pilot counties. If the offense and conviction happened in Los Angeles County, you must install an IID on any vehicle you drive at your own expense.
Glendale DUI Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Potential Defense Against a DUI Charge Our Glendale DUI Law Firm May Use
There are several legal defenses our criminal defense team will explore in your case. These include:
- You were not “under the influence” of drugs or alcohol.
- A mental or physical condition such as anxiety or exhaustion made you appear to be under the influence.
- The administration and/or collection of the breathalyzer or blood or urine samples were mishandled or done incorrectly.
- If evidence was gathered against you at a DUI checkpoint in Glendale, that checkpoint might not have fully complied with the standards the California Supreme Court set.
- And more, depending on the individual circumstances of your case.
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Our Glendale, CA, DUI Law Firm Can Represent You in Both Court and DMV Hearings
Being arrested for a DUI offense in Glendale initiates two separate legal proceedings that you’ll need to defend—the criminal court case and the administrative hearing with the California DMV.
Having an experienced DUI attorney on your side is crucial for navigating both processes and protecting your driving privileges.
Court Representation
For the criminal DUI charges against you, your lawyer will handle all court proceedings, preparations, and negotiations with the prosecutor. This includes:
- Review of arrest details and evidence
- Filing motions to suppress improper evidence
- Representing you at arraignment and pretrial hearings
- Negotiating for reduced charges or dismissed case
- Advocating for you at trial if necessary
An attorney’s courtroom experience is vital, as conviction can result in jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. With so much at stake, you need aggressive legal advocacy throughout the judicial system.
DMV Hearing Assistance
In addition to the court case, the DMV will take administrative action to suspend or revoke your driver’s license after a DUI arrest. You only have 10 days to request a hearing to contest this license suspension.
Our DUI lawyer can request and represent you at this DMV hearing to present a defense and argue for your driving privileges to be maintained or reinstated. Avoiding a suspended license can be invaluable for your ability to get to work, school, and other obligations.
DMV hearings have strict procedural rules that are easier to navigate, with experienced legal counsel arguing on your behalf. We can cross-examine the arresting officer, question any forensic test results, and ensure all protocols were properly followed.
Unified DUI Defense Strategy
By having one law firm handle both your court case and DMV matter simultaneously, your defense strategy across both legal processes can be unified and optimized.
Our lawyers can leverage success at the DMV hearing to strengthen plea negotiations in criminal court and vice versa. We can also ensure all your rights are protected without missing any important deadlines or procedures.
Don’t try to handle this complex two-front legal battle alone. Retaining a Glendale DUI attorney provides you with strategic representation aimed at achieving the best outcomes for your charges and driving record. Our lawyers are well-versed in both criminal court and DMV hearing proceedings.
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How a DUI Impacts Your Life Beyond Fines and Jail Time
The ramifications of a DUI conviction reach far beyond just the immediate penalties of fines and potential jail time. The effects on your personal and professional life can be wide-ranging and long-lasting if you fail to properly defend yourself against the charges.
On a personal level, a DUI conviction can derail many aspects of your daily life, including:
Employment Impacts
Having a DUI on your record can make it extremely difficult to find or maintain employment, particularly any job that involves driving vehicles or operating machinery. Many companies conduct background checks and are hesitant to hire those convicted of DUIs due to liability concerns.
Loss of Mobility
Even a first offense brings a 6-month minimum license suspension in California unless you obtain a restricted license. Not being able to legally drive disrupts your ability to get to work, appointments, run errands, take children to activities, and freely travel as you need.
Housing Difficulties
Applying for residencies or home loans often requires criminal background checks. A DUI can make qualifying for rentals, mortgages, or living in certain neighborhoods extremely challenging.
Increased Insurance Rates
Auto insurance companies will significantly raise your premium rates or even drop coverage entirely after a DUI conviction. This can make driving legally and maintaining insurance exorbitantly expensive for years.
Job Termination
Many employers, particularly those with company car or driving policies, have zero-tolerance rules regarding DUIs that can result in immediate termination upon conviction – no matter how long you were employed.
Loss of Professional Licenses
If your job requires a professional license or certification, that credentialing can be suspended or revoked due to a DUI offense. This can apply to fields like law, medicine, aviation, finance and more.
Obstacles to Career Advancement
Even if not terminated, a DUI conviction may be looked upon unfavorably, damaging workplace reputation and stalling future raises, promotions, transfers, or other career growth opportunities.
The personal and professional impacts of a DUI charge should not be taken lightly.
Having a legal advocate to fight the allegations can protect your lifestyle and livelihood for the long haul. Our experienced Glendale DUI lawyer will work tirelessly to prevent a conviction that could derail your future in so many ways.
Other Traffic Violations Charges Our Glendale Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help You With
The Glendale, CA, DUI lawyers at Simmrin Law Group can also help you with several other traffic violation charges. We are experienced with all the peculiarities of traffic court and the DMV, and we will work to get you the best possible outcome with the least disruption to your life. Our traffic violation lawyers in Glendale include:
- Driving on a suspended license lawyers
- Driving without insurance lawyers
- Reckless driving lawyers
- Red light camera ticket lawyers
- Speeding ticket lawyers
Many of these charges don’t just have implications for your criminal record. They can also jeopardize your driver’s license and right to drive. At Simmrin Law Group, we can manage your in-court legal defense and the timeline for scheduling hearings and appointments with the DMV.
Talk to a Glendale, CA, DUI Attorney for Free
If you or a loved one is facing a DUI or other traffic charges, you need an experienced Glendale DUI lawyer to help you navigate the legal system.
Call Simmrin Law Group or use our contact form for a free case evaluation with a DUI lawyer near Glendale, CA. We’re available to help you 24/7 when it comes to criminal defense law.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form