You can face serious legal repercussions if you are accused of driving under the influence (DUI). The court system handles these charges very seriously. A conviction for a DUI can cost you your license.
You could also be fined and sentenced to time in jail. But a Burbank DUI lawyer can help you address both criminal charges against you and the potential suspension of your license.
Addressing a DUI accusation quickly can improve your chances of winning in court. You can count on an experienced team at the Simmrin Law Group to take on your case. Our team has a strong track record of success in taking on cases like yours and securing wins for our clients.
How DUIs Are Charged in Burbank
You could be accused of driving under the influence after being pulled over by a police officer or after a motor vehicle accident. You can be considered as driving under the influence while intoxicated with alcohol or impaired through the consumption of drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, prescription medications, and more.
Many times, the police officer that 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 many cases, you are legally allowed to refuse to take a chemical test or a field sobriety test. Note that you must complete these tests if you are:
- Younger than 21
- On DUI probation
- Arrested
Refusing to complete a chemical test if you are required to do so can lead to serious consequences, 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 content (BAC).
The state of 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.
Penalties of a Burbank DUI Conviction
Individuals who are convicted of a DUI can face harsh repercussions. 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 become felonies.
Examples of possible charges include:
Fines:
- 1st Offense: $2,000
- 2nd Offense: $2,500
- 3rd Offense: $3,000
License Suspension:
- 1st Offense: Up to 1 year
- 2nd Offense: Up to 2 years
- 3rd Offense: Up to 3 years
Incarceration:
- 1st Offense: 2 days to 6 months
- 2nd Offense: 4 days to 1 year
- 3rd Offense: 120 days to 1 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.
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
- 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.
Consequences of Traffic Infraction Convictions
Traffic infraction convictions usually require you to pay a small fine. On its own, this can seem like a minor inconvenience. However, each traffic infraction also puts a point on your driver’s license.
Your license will be suspended if you accrue a certain number of points. Simultaneous occurrences of traffic infractions and driving under the influence will aggravate the charges brought against you. For example, running a red light while driving under the influence will receive harsher charges and penalties than either offense alone.
In these circumstances, a Burbank DUI attorney can investigate the series of events, how local law enforcement collected evidence against you, and other factors. Showing errors and lack of compliance with detailed standard practices can invalidate evidence against you. As a result, the charges may be dismissed, dropped, or reduced.
Work with an experienced Burbank attorney who is familiar with the obligations and standards surrounding the case so you have a strong defense.
Understanding Misdemeanor Traffic Violations
Misdemeanor traffic violations are generally more serious than traffic infractions but not as severely punished as DUIs. These acts can result in:
- Fines of $1,000
- 90 days to 6 months of time in jail
- 2 points added to your driver’s license
The most common misdemeanor traffic charges that we see are:
- Reckless Driving
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Driving on a Revoked License
Any action that shows a willful disregard for the safety of another individual can be charged as reckless driving. This broad definition means that many individuals can face this harsh charge.
You can face charges for driving on a suspended or revoked license any time you operate a motor vehicle without a valid license. There are many unique charges for driving on an invalid license, based on the reason that you lost your license. However, they all have roughly similar penalties.
Dealing with any traffic violation charge on your own can cost you dearly. DUI attorneys in Burbank understand how to deal with any traffic infraction or traffic misdemeanor charges you could be facing.
How to Defend Against DUI Charges in Burbank
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.
Here, 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
- Police misconduct
- Health issues
- Breathalyzer issues
- Illegal search and seizure
- Constitutional rights violations
Take Charge with a DUI Lawyer in Burbank
You do not have to just hope for the best if you have been charged with a DUI or another traffic violation. Get proactive and find the legal help you need with a DUI attorney in Burbank. The Simmrin Law Group can take on your case today. Let us detail your options with a free consultation.
Our Burbank DUI attorney and legal team can help you understand the charges against you, start to prepare your legal strategy, investigate the evidence against you (and the methods with which it was gathered), and more. 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.
You can reach us by completing our online contact form or calling. Start your legal defense process with a free consultation with a legal representative to learn more about your next steps.