Learning About DUI Charges at an Arraignment Hearing
Drivers first learn about the charges they are facing at an arraignment hearing in Los Angeles. The prosecution will determine which charges to bring against a driver accused of a DUI. You should know that the state of California has a lot of different DUI charges. These charges include:
These are only examples of some of the DUI charges used in Los Angeles. We are ready to help you go over the specific charges you may face after a DUI arrest in our area.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Enter a Plea at a DUI Arrangement in California
Drivers are expected to enter a “plea” at their arraignment hearing after a DUI arrest. There are three possible pleas you can enter after a DUI arrest. You can choose to plead:
Not Guilty
Drivers who plead not guilty intend to fight the criminal charges they are facing. Most of the time, DUI lawyers in Los Angeles advise drivers to plead not guilty. You cannot easily change your mind if you plead guilty. If you plead not guilty, a lawyer can help you work on a defense right away.
Guilty
Some drivers decide to plead guilty after they are accused of a DUI. Pleading guilty means the court will convict you. You will get a criminal charge on your record. Your case will end and you will be sentenced to face a number of penalties, including:
- Fines
- Jail time
- License restrictions
No Contest
Finally, drivers can plead “no contest” after a DUI arrest. Pleading no contest also leads to a conviction in California. Basically, it ends your case; however, drivers do not admit that they are guilty if they plead no contest. This can impact civil cases tied to DUI charges. Find out more about the difference between pleading no contest and pleading guilty today. Just contact the Simmrin Law Group by calling (310) 896-2723.
Other Parts of a DUI Trial in California
An arraignment hearing is only the first part of a DUI trial here in California. You may also want legal help dealing with your:
Bail Hearing
The court system in California sometimes offers bail in DUI cases. Bail is a payment to the court that allows you to stay out of jail until your criminal trial begins. A lawyer can work to ensure you get a low bail amount.
Pre-Trial Hearing
A lawyer can help with your pre-trial hearing and motions in California. During the pre-trial period of your case, a lawyer can make motions to block evidence or even get your charges dismissed.
Plea Bargaining
Many DUI cases in California do not go to trial. Instead, these charges are resolved with a plea bargain. Plea bargains are offers made by the prosecution. You accept a lesser charge if you take a plea bargain. This means you still end up with a guilty charge on your criminal record. However, you can face less severe penalties if you take a plea bargain.
Criminal Trial
We mentioned that most DUI charges are handled outside of court in California. However, this is not always the case. A lawyer can support you in court if your case goes to trial. A lawyer can work to show that you were not impaired by alcohol. Your lawyer can also argue that you were stopped without due cause by a police officer.
Discuss What to Expect at a DUI Arraignment with a Lawyer Today
You may be wondering what happens at a DUI arraignment in California. In short, you enter a plea at your arraignment and learn about the charges you’re facing. A DUI lawyer in Los Angeles can help you prepare for an arraignment hearing. Find out how by contacting the Simmrin Law Group now. We’ll review your situation with a free consultation.
Contact our team now by calling (310) 896-2723. You can also complete our online contact form.
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