Century City DUI Attorney

DUI Lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA

In the state of California, it is illegal for an individual to operate a motor vehicle while their blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.

A person's BAC is measured using a breath, blood, or urine chemical test. If a police officer suspects you to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated, they may ask you to perform some field sobriety tests. There are two issues with this scenario that you must be aware of so that you can protect yourself. First, the only reason that they ask you to perform these tests is so that they may gather evidence to warrant an arrest, not to find out if you are intoxicated. Second, you can refuse this test without incurring any additional penalties.

There is a difference between field sobriety tests and chemical tests. If an officer has enough evidence, they may ask you to perform a chemical test; if you refuse this test, then you will automatically lose your license for one, two, or three years depending on the number of previous offenses you have accumulated within a ten-year period. One final issue that you must be acutely aware of is that a police officer can lie to you in order to elicit information or a confession. Because of this tactic, it is highly advisable that you refuse any field sobriety tests and that you utilize your Fifth Amendment rights and remain silent.

Penalties for Drinking and Driving in CA

If you are arrested and charged with drinking and driving, then you could face serious penalties upon conviction. Penalties will increase per the number of convictions you have within the past ten years. A first conviction will include such penalties as a one-year maximum jail sentence, up to $390 in fines, DUI school, and at least six months of driver's license suspension. A second conviction will increase penalties to up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, up to 30 months attendance in DUI school, and two years' driver's license suspension. Various circumstances that could enhance a DUI charge include having an open alcohol container in your vehicle at the time of arrest, a minor under the age of 14 in the vehicle at the time of arrest, and a BAC reading of 0.2% or higher.

Contact a Century City & Woodland Hills DUI Lawyer

Have you been arrested for a DUI in Century City or Woodland Hills? You need skilled legal assistance on your side. At Taub & Taub, P.C., we understand the DUI process, we know how the prosecution operates, and we know the laws surrounding your case. It is vital for you to understand that there is no evidence admitted in a DUI case that cannot be fought against by a skilled representative. This being said, it is crucial that you do not admit to anything. Seek our legal assistance as soon as possible to begin building a strong defense of your case.