Getting charged with a DUI can be devastating. The heavy fines, loss of license, and possible jail time are all things no one wants to deal with. But they may not be avoidable if you are unfortunate enough to face DUI charges. However, with the help of a Beverly Hills DUI attorney, there is a good chance that you can at least get your charges – and therefore the punishments that come from conviction – reduced.
Our Beverly Hills DUI lawyer has the experience, skills, and knowledge to protect your rights in the California courts. We have worked with numerous clients in situations like yours and know the process inside and out. While there are no guarantees in a DUI case, we can assure you that having an attorney representing you increases your chances of a good outcome.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Beverly Hills, we encourage you to contact us immediately. The best time to get started building your defense is right now.
When there is so much at stake, the wisest choice is to hire a professional. Our skilled Beverly Hills DUI lawyer can do a lot for you, including:
A. Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
We offer a free consultation with a Beverly Hills DUI lawyer, where you can talk with our lawyer at no cost and get the advice you need. During our initial consultation, we will review all your case details, listen to your story, and identify possible strategies. Many of our clients feel much better after their consultation because they know that someone cares and knows how to get results.
B. Investigation and Gathering of Evidence
Our Beverly Hills DUI lawyer investigates every case to the best of their ability. That includes gathering evidence, finding witnesses, and seeking for details to help our client. Investigation is an art and a science, and we excel at it. If there is any information that can help with your case, we will do our best to find it.
C. Analysis of Police Reports and Sobriety Tests
The law enforcement officer that arrested you is required by law to fill out a police report. We will review that report and any sobriety tests to seek information that can assist with your case. Sometimes police will put information in reports demonstrating they failed to follow the law. And sobriety tests are notoriously prone to error, which means we can find key information that will get your charges reduced or dropped.
D. Building a Strong Defense Strategy
One of the biggest reasons you hire a lawyer is that they can build a strong defense on your behalf. Our team has done this repeatedly, so we know what it takes to gather all the information related to the case and see how we can use it to protect you. We also know California law inside and out, so we can identify areas where the law can help demonstrate your position.
E. Preparing for Court Proceedings and Hearings
It’s normal to feel stress concerning court proceedings and hearings. Everyone gets nervous in front of a judge – unless it’s part of their job, which is another primary reason to hire a lawyer. We know how to prepare the case and prepare you as our client for time in court. And since we are your representative, we will be doing most of the talking and will make sure you put your best foot forward.
F. Negotiating Plea Bargains, if Applicable
If applicable, our DUI lawyer can negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf. We can tell you if their offer is fair and advise you on whether you should accept it. The right plea bargain will significantly reduce your charges in exchange for pleading guilty. Since you are technically pleading guilty, we will only tell you to accept a plea bargain if it’s your best option.
DUI charges in Beverly Hills depend on several factors: the more severe the violation, the more influential the charges. For example, a DUI charge is usually a misdemeanor, which is a lesser charge than a felony. However, if you injure someone, have a prior DUI conviction, or under some other situations, a DUI charge can be a felony.
The more severe the charges, the more severe the penalty. We have outlined the basic penalties for each level of charge below.
The process of challenging a DUI in Beverly Hills can be broken down into four main steps:
1. DMV Hearing
Your DUI lawyer can negotiate with the authorities at the DMV hearing concerning your license suspension.
2. Arraignment
You and your DUI lawyer will make your first appearance in court during the arraignment. The judge will explain the charges and the initial process during this appearance. You will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you have an attorney, the arraignment is typically shorter because the court assumes your attorney will explain the details to you.
3. Pre-trial Conference
During the pre-trial conference, your DUI lawyer will meet with the prosecution to discuss the charges and negotiate. Ideally, this will be the last step because the prosecution will offer a favorable deal.
4. Trial
Most DUI cases don’t go to trial, but if they do, it happens after the pre-trial conference negotiations fail. If your case goes to trial, you must have a good DUI attorney to represent you and protect your rights.
During your DMV hearing with your DUI defense lawyer, you will have the chance to review and challenge evidence presented by the DMV. This hearing is much like other court hearings in that you can present evidence, call witnesses, and give an argument. The goal is to get the DMV to see your side of the story and reduce or drop the charges against you.
Having your attorney in this hearing is helpful because they can represent you as they would in criminal court – using their skills and experience to get you the best outcome.
The initial time after a Beverly Hills DUI arrest is stressful and confusing. It’s hard to know what to do next. If you find yourself in this situation, we encourage you to do the following:
1. Contact our Beverly Hills DUI law firm immediately
This should be your first step because it will make everything afterward safer and more accessible. Our DUI lawyers can tell you what to do next and, equally important, what not to do.
2. Ask for a hearing
Please request a DMV hearing as soon as possible so we can negotiate with the DMV and protect your driving privileges.
3. Enroll in an alcohol education program
If you are convicted of a DUI, the court will likely want you to complete an alcohol education program. You have to complete the course to avoid jail time.
The statute of limitations is California law's time limit on bringing certain charges to court. The case is usually dismissed if the prosecution tries to bring charges after the statute of limitations. For Beverly Hills DUI cases, the statute of limitations is:
Every DUI case is unique, but these are some of the most common DUI defenses:
The police need a valid reason to make a traffic stop. They can’t do it just because they are suspicious. For example, they can pull you over for a missing taillight. If they discover you are intoxicated, they can proceed with an arrest. But pulling you over because they feel like it and find you intoxicated can invalidate the DUI charges.
Breathalyzer and blood tests can be deemed inadmissible for a variety of reasons. For example, if we can prove that the organization processing the tests made errors in the process, we could have the results thrown out.
Field sobriety tests are also areas where police can make mistakes. If we can prove the results are unreliable, we can probably remove them from the evidence against you.
Law enforcement commits acts of misconduct with regularity. That can be a problem for them if they try to convict you of a DUI. If we can show misconduct on their part, it can do a lot to help your case.
All we need to do to get your charges dropped is establish reasonable doubt. It’s not always possible to do, but there are cases where we can show doubt as to whether you are guilty. When that happens, the court can decide to drop the charges.
We know you are facing a stressful, challenging time in your life. A DUI conviction can change everything – costing you money, giving you a criminal record, forcing you to spend time in jail. If you are worried, know that it’s normal. Everyone feels like this when they are facing such a heavy burden.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it by yourself. Our Beverly Hills DUI attorney is standing by to answer your questions and help with your case. Remember, you can talk with our criminal defense attorney for free. We encourage you to call or fill out our contact form as soon as possible.
Contact our Beverly Hills DUI attorney today to learn more!
Penalties vary depending on the severity of the charges, but you can expect to pay thousands of dollars in fines, lose your driving privileges, and possibly spend time in jail.
Yes, certain DUI charges can be expunged from your record in California.
It all depends on the specific details of the case. A DUI case can be resolved in a few days if the person pleads guilty or accepts a plea bargain. If the case goes to court, it can take a year or more to resolve. -
Many different factors can affect the outcome of a DUI case. The number of times you have been convicted of a DUI, the severity of your intoxication, and whether someone was injured – play a part. One of the most significant factors is whether you hire an attorney to protect your rights.
Contact an experienced DUI attorney right away. An attorney can tell you precisely what to do – and what not to do – to protect your rights as you proceed with your case.
Brian Hurwitz Has 10+ Years of Criminal Defense Experience
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