Traditionally, driving under the influence means you were drinking and driving. As society has evolved, so have laws around DUIs. If you are driving while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or marijuana, you can get a DUI.
Since some of these are legal, motorists do not believe they are doing anything wrong by getting behind the wheel, but any substance that impairs your ability to drive or react to the road can cause law enforcement to take action. When you are facing a DUI charge, you must contact a DUI attorney in East Hollywood, CA, from the Simmrin Law Group.
DUIs Are Criminal Offenses
Motorists believe a DUI is a traffic infraction, but it is a criminal charge. Driving under the influence is different from driving and texting or speeding. You are putting people in harm’s way when you do any of these actions, but a DUI is a criminal charge.
When you are arrested, you will face a criminal charge, and you have a criminal record upon conviction.
You must disclose your criminal record to future employers or when applying for housing which can hurt your chances. It can also impact your child custody arrangements and finances. Your freedom is on the line, and you need legal representation to secure your future.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving East Hollywood, call (310) 896-2723
You Can Lose Your License
When you are arrested for a DUI, the police officer will confiscate your license and issue a pink temporary license. You can use this pink license for thirty days until you can determine the next steps. You will have ten days after your arrest to schedule a DMV hearing date where you can fight to get your license back with the help of East Hollywood DUI attorneys.
Failure to request this hearing results in an automatic license suspension. The length of your suspicion will depend on individual circumstances, but it can be anywhere from a few months to a year or indefinitely. You must speak with our DUI lawyers immediately to protect your driving privileges.
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Reasons They Can Pull You Over
Most DUIs happen when an officer pulls you over with probable cause or a reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime. Police cannot pull you over without cause. A driving infraction like speeding or running a red light is sufficient to stop you.
Once they pull you over, they will look for signs of impairment, such as:
- Smell of alcohol
- Slurred speech
- Red, bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
- Erratic behavior
- Fumbling items
You can explain away red eyes by saying you were crying or your eyes are dry. Other defenses are available for different behaviors, like slurred speech can be attributed to nerves. You will discuss your defenses with a DUI lawyer in East Hollywood, CA.
At a minimum, you can lose your license for 30 days, and in the worst outcome, you can stay in jail for years.
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Implied Consent and Reasonable Doubt
Consenting to a field sobriety test is contentious, but in California, you will have implied consent to testing your BAC when you get behind the wheel. Implied consent is valid when the officer has probable cause to pull you over. If they do not have probable cause or commit other egregious actions, you have evidence to show you should not be charged with a DUI.
If you refuse to submit to a BAC test, you will have an automatic license suspension, enhancing other penalties. Another element of DUI charges is the concept of beyond a reasonable doubt. The state prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were impaired by drugs or alcohol.
They must show enough evidence that it is unreasonable to believe you were not impaired. They will rely on the police officer’s testimony and any test results.
For a DUI to stick, you must be over the legal limit of 0.08% or, as a commercial driver, 0.04%. If not, you can walk away from this negative expense.
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DUI Checkpoints
While there is much debate on the legality of DUI checkpoints, they are here to stay for the long run. These sobriety checkpoints serve as a deterrent for drunk and impaired drivers. It also brings awareness to others about the dangers of driving under the influence and encourages the use of rideshares or public transportation.
Officers must adhere to specific regulations and guidelines when working at a DUI checkpoint, but they rarely do. Instead, they will profile and harass people who are simply driving through.
Officers cannot impound your vehicle from a DUI checkpoint. You can avoid DUI checkpoints if you know they are happening as long as you do not commit a traffic infraction in the process.
DUI Enforcement in East Hollywood
With the hustle and bustle of East Hollywood, many motorists and pedestrians are sharing the road. Since there are many motorists around, the local police department is hunting for anyone they suspect is under the influence. Making a wrong move while swerving to avoid something on the road is all it takes for police to assume you are under the influence and cite you.
Sometimes law enforcement will go on saturation patrol, which consists of many officers patrolling an area during a specific time. These saturation patrols are similar to sobriety checkpoints but without warnings. Officers want to deter drunk driving by scaring people with their presence.
Instead, motorists will avoid the area, or innocent drivers will face criminal charges for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Speak to a DUI Lawyer in East Hollywood Today
A DUI conviction can change the rest of your life, and you will suffer steep consequences. Not only are you facing jail time, fines, and a criminal record you will also lose your employment and vehicle. You will face a financial burden that will be impossible to get out of, but there is hope.
You must speak to an East Hollywood DUI lawyer from Simmrin Law Group to build a defense and get your life back on track. As criminal defense lawyers, we have many tools at our disposal to help you win your case and ensure your freedom. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form