A legal professional can help you handle charges for driving under the influence (DUI) in La Puente, CA. You can begin constructing a strong defense as soon as you are arrested by contacting an experienced La Puente DUI lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group.
Speak with our Los Angeles DUI lawyers in La Puente today. We can work to dispute evidence against you, including the results of chemical tests like the breathalyzer. We’re ready to take steps to get your charges reduced or even dismissed as we focus on defending you.
Defining DUI Charges in La Puente
California defines a DUI as the operation of a motor vehicle by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers may be charged with a DUI if they are stopped by a law enforcement officer who:
- Believes that they are inebriated
- Tests their blood alcohol content (BAC) and finds that it exceeds the legal limits
- Finds proof that they are under the influence of drugs
DUIs can be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies in California. A conviction can have serious effects, so it is important that you speak with a DUI attorney in La Puente quickly once you are arrested.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving La Puente, call (310) 896-2723
La Puente DUIs and BAC Levels
Drivers must keep their BAC below specific levels set by the court system in California to avoid most DUI charges. If you are:
- Over 21 your BAC must stay below 0.08%
- Under 21 your BAC must stay below 0.01%
- For a commercial driver, your BAC must stay below 0.04%.
Law enforcement officers can measure BAC using chemical testing, like the breathalyzer. Prosecutors often use the results of these tests in the La Puente courts.
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Results of BAC Tests in La Puente
BAC test results may be used against you if you are accused of a DUI in La Puente. However, you should be aware that the results of these tests may be disputed by a La Puente California DUI & DWI lawyer. In fact, your lawyer could be able to show that:
The Test Was Not Completed Properly
Specific steps must be followed in order for a breathalyzer – or another chemical BAC test – to return accurate results. Sometimes, police officers will not perform these steps correctly. In this situation, your lawyer could argue that the results returned from the test cannot be trusted as legitimate.
The Test Returned False-Positive Results
Breathalyzer tests also have a reputation for sometimes returning inaccurate results. Even blood tests used to measure BAC can give false-positive results in some situations. Your La Puente DUI attorney may ask to have a blood test re-done at a third-party testing facility to demonstrate that you were not inebriated when you were pulled over.
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Penalties for La Puente DUIs
Building a defense to DUI charges quickly is important in La Puente. Convictions for first-time DUI offenses can result in a number of serious penalties, including:
- Up to a one-year suspension of your driver’s license
- Up to six months of jail time
- Up to $2,000 in fines
You should be aware that the penalties for a DUI in La Puente are not stable. The court increases the penalties you’ll face each time you are convicted. As an example, let’s review the results of a second DUI conviction. You could end up dealing with:
- Up to a two-year suspension of your driver’s license
- Up to one year of jail time
- Up to $2,500 in fines
Other Consequences of a DWI Conviction in La Puente
Many people are shocked to discover that a DUI conviction in La Puente is far more serious than they previously thought. If you thought you could serve some time in jail, pay your fine, and move forward with your life, you may be in for a rude awakening.
It is not uncommon for people who are found guilty of a DWI to face a variety of collateral penalties, such as:
- Deportation and immigration issues
- Loss of gun rights in La Puente
- Difficulty retaining possession of your child custody or visitation rights
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Court-ordered drug or alcohol treatment
- Court-ordered driver retraining
- Court-ordered mental health counseling
- Demotion or termination
Fortunately, you do not have to try to deal with DUI charges on your own. Your lawyer can begin working to defend you right now.
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Legal Options for DWI Accusations in La Puente
Your lawyer can weaken the prosecution’s case right away after you are arrested. Building your defense can involve disputing evidence, speaking with witnesses, and investigating the facts of your arrest. Your lawyer may work to get your charges reduced.
In some cases, accepting a plea bargain may be the right choice to resolve your DUI charges in La Puente. However, you should never accept a plea bargain without allowing a lawyer to look it over first. These deals sometimes work against your best interests.
Your DUI lawyer may also be able to get your charges dismissed. If you were stopped without reasonable cause, the court may dismiss the charges you are facing. We’re also ready to fight for you in court if your case goes to trial.
Speak to a La Puente DUI Attorney Today
Get assistance handling DUI charges with help from a La Puente DUI lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group. You can contact our DUI lawyers in La Puente to begin working on a personalized defense right now. Let us go over your case with a free consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form