You can face serious penalties if the courts convict you of driving under the influence (DUI) in the Oceanside area. Many drivers through town and from Camp Pendleton find themselves facing a difficult legal battle after law enforcement accuses them of a DUI after an accident or a traffic stop.
The court system in Oceanside treats DUIs harshly. A DUI conviction can lead to jail time, fines, the loss of your license, and a requirement to attend an alcohol treatment program. You will have to handle multiple hearings to resolve any DUI case in your favor. This includes criminal court appearances and a hearing with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Beating a DUI charge can be much easier if you have the help of a professional DUI lawyer in Oceanside. You can contact Simmrin Law Group today to get expert advice about the best way to handle any DUI accusation. We know what it takes to win cases for our clients, and we’re here to help you today.
We Can Help You Fight Oceanside DUI Charges
You could face DUI charges if a police officer believes you drove while inebriated. Police officers can attempt to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC) to see if you are over the legal limit and place you under arrest. They may ask you to take a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer or blood test, or submit to field sobriety tests to determine if you may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
You may legally refuse any requested tests before law enforcement officers arrest you. Refusing a test can give police officers less evidence to use against you. However, you must take the tests:
- If you are under the age of 21
- If you are on DUI probation
- If you are under arrest
A result on a chemical test that shows you are over the legal limit does not necessarily mean you cannot avoid a DUI conviction in court. Breathalyzers may give inaccurate results. We can also request that a third party repeat any blood testing, which often returns different results. Additionally, chemical test results may be inadmissible if a police officer did not follow all standard regulations during a DUI stop.
There are many ways we may be able to challenge the evidence against you in an Oceanside DUI stop. We are here to fight for a better outcome in your case and help you avoid the harshest penalties of a DUI conviction.
Let Us Take Care of Your DMV Hearing
Many drivers do not realize they must meet with the Oceanside Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after a DUI arrest. You will lose your license if you do not request and attend this hearing. You must request a hearing with the DMV within 10 days of a DUI arrest. Your DMV hearing will determine whether the agency should suspend your license following a DUI arrest.
Note that the DMV will suspend your license automatically if you do not request your hearing within 10 days. This is an administrative suspension that occurs regardless of the outcome of your criminal case. Your best bet for keeping your driving privileges is to attend this hearing and present strong evidence to show you are not guilty of the alleged offense.
The DUI lawyers at Simmrin Law Group can help you handle every step of your DMV hearing and criminal case. As long as you enlist our help in time, we can file the necessary paperwork, represent you at the hearing, and fight to ensure that you can keep your license.
We Understand the Severity of DUI Charges in Oceanside
DUI charges can throw your entire life off course. You could lose your job, drop out of school, or struggle to keep an important occupational license. Even a first-time DUI arrest can lead to:
- Fines of $2,000
- Jail time of six months
- License suspension for one year
You will face harsher penalties if police arrest you for additional DUIs within ten years of your first arrest. Your penalties could also increase if you hurt anyone while operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
California DUI laws also force some people to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicles after a DUI conviction. IIDs require you to blow into them before you can turn on your vehicle. If your BAC is more than the legal limit, your vehicle will not operate. They also require periodic re-checks while driving.
We understand the terrible effects a DUI conviction can have on your life. Our team has experience fighting to get DUI charges thrown out. We may also be able to reduce your charges to a wet reckless or a dry reckless charge. Our DUI and criminal defense lawyers will work aggressively to win your case so you can move on with your life.
Oceanside DUI Drug Convictions Also Bring Serious Penalties
Alcohol is not the only substance that affects a driver’s ability to operate a car safely and within the law. Some drugs also cause significant concerns. California law allows police officers to stop, test, and arrest drivers for DUI drugs in the same way it does for alcohol offenses.
While many types of drugs can lead to DUI drug arrests, marijuana is the most common. Recreational use may be legal in Oceanside, but vaping, eating, or smoking marijuana before getting behind the wheel is not. You could face arrest, charges, and conviction for this.
If you face charges or allegations of drugged driving in the greater San Diego County area, our team can help. We will discuss your case and legal options with you for free today.
Other Traffic Violations Can Lead to Fines and Jail Time
It is important to understand that DUI is not the only traffic infraction or violation that can lead to trouble in a San Diego County court. In fact, you could face charges of DUI in addition to other allegations related to the same stop or accident. In general, the two categories of citations are:
- Traffic Infractions: These are the relatively minor traffic tickets you might receive for speeding or running a stop sign. Penalties usually include fines and points against your driver’s license.
- Criminal Traffic Violations: These are the serious misdemeanor or felony criminal charges you could face because of your actions behind the wheel. Examples include reckless driving or driving on a suspended license. Penalties include jail or prison time, fines, probation, and more. Felony convictions are especially devastating for many people.
Our team helps clients navigate their cases, including any additional charges they could face. If the police arrest you on a charge involving a criminal traffic violation, we will fight to help you avoid penalties such as jail or prison time, significant fines, license suspensions, probation, and more. A positive outcome in your case may be possible.
Let Us Fight for You After an Oceanside DUI Arrest
You will have the best chance of beating a DUI charge if you contact a DUI lawyer in Oceanside for help right away. Waiting to fight a DUI accusation can make it difficult to take care of your DMV hearing and your courtroom battle. The earlier you enlist our help, the more options we have to pursue on your behalf. You can contact the experts at Simmrin Law Group for a FREE consultation today.
Call us or fill out our online contact form to get the professional help you need.