You can face serious legal repercussions if you are accused of driving under the influence (DUI). The courts handle these charges very seriously, and a conviction can cost you your license. You could also be fined and sentenced to time in jail. Fortunately, a Burbank DUI lawyer can fight your criminal charges and protect your license.
Addressing a DUI accusation quickly can improve your chances of winning in court. You can count on an experienced Burbank criminal defense lawyer from the Simmrin Law Group to take on your case. Our legal team has handled more than 100 jury trials, and we’re ready to help you today. Call us now for a free, confidential consultation.
How DUIs are Charged in Burbank
If you’ve been pulled over by a police officer and charged with a DUI, you’ll want to learn more about your charges and the legal process. The court defines driving under the influence as operating a vehicle while intoxicated with alcohol or under the influence of drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, or prescription medications.
In many cases, the police officer who pulled you over will request that you complete a field sobriety test or take a chemical test to prove that you are guilty of a DUI. In some cases, you are legally allowed to refuse to take a blood test, breath test, or field sobriety test. Note that you must complete these tests if you are:
- Younger than 21
- On DUI probation
- Arrested
Hiring a DUI attorney from Burbank can help you understand your charges and improve your chances of avoiding serious penalties or a jail sentence.
Refusing a Chemical Test in Burbank City
Refusing to complete a chemical test if you are required to do so can lead to serious consequences, such as additional sentencing, jail time, and fines, so make sure you’re aware of your situation before taking a test or issuing a refusal. The goal of any chemical test is to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
California considers drivers over the age of 21 to be driving under the influence if their BAC is .08% or higher. Note that there are exceptions to this legal limit for commercial drivers and drivers younger than 21. In these cases, you may face DUI charges with even less BAC.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Burbank, call (310) 896-2723
Penalties of a Burbank DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction can result in harsh legal penalties. Each time you are convicted of a DUI, the punishments get worse. While you may be charged with a misdemeanor for a first-time offense, additional infractions may escalate to felonies. Fortunately, our DUI lawyers in Burbank can work with prosecutors to get serious charges reduced to lesser offenses.
Our experienced team will work hard to help you avoid the following penalties:
Fines
California seeks to deter drunk drivers by setting costly fines that escalate with each DUI offense:
- First Offense: $2,000
- Second Offense: $2,500
- Third Offense: $3,000
License Suspension
Driving-related criminal charges, like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), can lead to a license suspension. How long a suspension lasts depends on your case’s specific circumstances, including whether you had previous offenses or had possession of drugs.
For example, you may lose your license or have to operate on a temporary license (with restrictions) for these periods:
- First Offense: Up to one year
- Second Offense: Up to two years
- Third Offense: Up to three years
Incarceration
Jail time is another consequence that can greatly upend your life, including your career. A Burbank DUI offense can lead to the following sentences:
- First Offense: Two days to six months
- Second Offense: Four days to one year
- Third Offense: 120 days to one year
The court also requires individuals convicted of a DUI to take part in an alcohol treatment program. You don’t have to risk your future by fighting a DUI charge on your own. Working with a Burbank criminal defense lawyer can improve your odds of protecting yourself in court.
Burbank DUI Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Benefits of Hiring a Burbank DUI Lawyer from Our Firm
If you’ve been brought up on drunk driving charges, you won’t want to face them alone. Representing yourself is a recipe for disaster, as inexperienced individuals are likely to make mistakes that hurt their case and put them in danger of unwanted consequences. You can discuss why you shouldn’t plead guilty to a DUI during a free defense consultation.
The best thing to do after a DUI arrest is to hire a Burbank DUI defense lawyer. An attorney can build a strong defense case for you and fight relentlessly for a favorable outcome. Here’s what our team can do to help you avoid a potentially life-altering conviction:
- Offer a free consultation to help you understand your rights and legal options
- Investigate your arrest and gather evidence such as police reports, BAC test results, body camera footage, and witness statement
- Use evidence to construct a robust DUI defense strategy
- Negotiate with prosecutors to get a plea bargain for reduced charges
- Represent you in court and present compelling legal arguments
- Push for dismissal of charges, if appropriate
- Keep you updated on your case and address your questions throughout the legal process
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How a Burbank DUI Attorney Can Challenge Your Charges
It can be difficult to determine how to approach your defense strategy when you have been accused of drunk driving. In many cases, non-violent and first-time DUI offenders may be able to enroll in a pretrial diversion program.
If you meet the terms of the program, the state’s prosecuting attorney may be able to dismiss the charges against you. However, if you are not eligible for a pretrial diversion program, you will need to work closely with your Burbank DUI attorney to determine which defense is best suited for your trial. Some potential defenses that could be used include:
- Mistake of fact
- Lab mistakes, such as with blood samples or inaccurate blood alcohol level readings
- Police misconduct
- Inconsistencies with arrest reports or police reports
- Health issues that may appear like alcohol intoxication during a field sobriety test
- Breathalyzer issues
- Illegal search and seizure
- Constitutional rights violations, such as failure to read your Miranda rights in the arrest process
Our DUI defense attorneys in Burbank can tailor a defense strategy to suit your unique case and work to uncover holes in the prosecution process. This can make a crucial difference during legal proceedings. No matter how serious your charges are, we’ll work tirelessly to challenge them and get the results you deserve.
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Traffic Infractions in Burbank
In many ways, DUIs are one of the most serious charges you can face for making a mistake while driving. You can also end up in serious trouble for traffic infractions, which are small offenses that don’t result in criminal charges. You are likely familiar with many common examples of traffic infractions, such as:
- Illegally changing lanes
- Reckless driving
- Running stop signs
- Speeding
- Misusing a carpool lane
You could also be subject to a traffic infraction charge if a police officer pulls you over because you have a broken light or if there is something else wrong with your vehicle. While police officers are typically responsible for handing out tickets for traffic violations, you can also receive tickets from red-light cameras in Burbank.
Whether you’ve been accused of a drunk driving offense or a non-alcohol-related traffic infraction, you’ll want to reach out to an experienced attorney ASAP.
Fight Your Charges by Hiring a Burbank DUI Lawyer
You do not have to hope for the best if you have been charged with a DUI or another traffic violation. Instead, be proactive and get the legal help you need by hiring an experienced Burbank DUI lawyer from Simmrin Law Group.
Our law firm can help you understand the charges brought against you, prepare your legal strategy, and answer any questions you have. We can also help schedule your DMV hearing, which must be scheduled within ten days of the DUI charges to prevent an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form