Drivers accused of a DUI (driving under the influence) in California face criminal charges. You must determine how to resolve these charges after an attest. Some drivers wonder if they can get a jury trial for a DUI.
You may be able to take your DUI case to court in California. However, there may be other options to resolve your charges. Review your options to handle a DUI accusation successfully by checking out this article.
You Have the Right to a Jury Trial After a DUI
The U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to judgment by a jury of your peers if you are accused of a crime — this means you can get a jury trial for a DUI in California. A jury trial requires you to put your future in the hands of twelve people.
Juries have a reputation for being very unpredictable. They may decide to side with the prosecution in your DUI trial. You could end up found guilty of a DUI, or the court could dismiss your charges. The chance associated with a jury trial means that many lawyers work to resolve DUI charges outside of court.
You can have a jury trial if charged with a DUI. However, it may not be in your best interest.
A Lawyer Could Resolve Your DUI Outside of Court
You may not know what to expect after a DUI arrest in California. Generally, you will go before a judge for an arraignment hearing after your arrest. You must enter a plea for your case at the arraignment hearing. You could plead:
- Not guilty
- No contest
- Guilty
Your case ends if you plead no contest or guilty. The court can set up a trial date for you if you plead not guilty. However, a lawyer could take steps to handle your charges before your court date arrives. Many DUI lawyers in California focus on:
- Reducing your charges to an acceptable level
- Getting your charges dismissed altogether
The team at the Simmrin Law Group understands how to resolve DUI charges in California. Reach out to us before your claim goes to trial.
Get DUI Charges Reduced in California
As we mentioned, your DUI charges could be reduced in the state of California. Your lawyer may use a plea bargain to reduce your charges. A plea bargain offers you reduced penalties as long as you plead guilty to a less severe charge.
You may not want to accept a plea bargain unless you’ve allowed a lawyer to look it over. Sometimes, the prosecution offers plea bargains that are not in your best interests. A lawyer may review the offer you received to make sure it’s a good idea.
Your lawyer may advise taking your case to court if the prosecution does not offer a fair plea bargain. Accepting a plea bargain may resolve your DUI charges quickly. However, even jury trials for DUIs in California often move quickly. Get help fast by reaching out to a California DUI lawyer.
Focus on Building Your Defense for DUI Charges
Regardless of how your DUI charges are resolved, your lawyer must build a strong defense. A DUI lawyer in California may take steps to defend you by arguing that:
- A police officer stopped you without due cause
- You were sober at the time of your arrest
- A police officer did not correctly perform DUI testing or assessments
Your lawyer could get your charges dismissed in some cases. For example, let us say that a police officer pulled you over. You had been operating your vehicle safely and reasonably. Therefore, the officer had no reason to suspect you were driving under the influence of alcohol. The court could dismiss your case in this situation.
A lawyer could also defend you in front of a jury. Your lawyer may even work to support you during the jury selection process. Allow your legal team to focus on the best methods to resolve your DUI charge right now.
Speak to a Lawyer About a Jury Trial for a DUI
You can get a jury trial for a DUI in California. However, it may be a better idea to resolve your charges with a plea bargain. A lawyer could also work to have your charges dismissed. Find out more about your options to resolve DUI charges with the Simmrin Law Group. Contacting us is easy. You could also complete our online contact form.
We are prepared to offer you a free consultation today.