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Unlike other traffic citations, DUI charges are severe criminal charges that come with serious criminal penalties. Jail time, hefty fines, and a license suspension are all possibilities after being charged with a DUI. Even if it is your first time being charged with a crime, you could still be saddled with a permanent criminal record that follows you for life.

Fortunately, you do not have to navigate these charges on your own. Our team of DUI defense attorneys is here to help you reduce or remove the penalties you are facing from a DUI charge. Whether you are a first-time offender or already have a criminal history, our Encino DUI lawyer is here to help. Contact the DUI Defense Group today for a free consultation by calling.

What Can You Expect After a Encino Drunk Driving Arrest?

Police officers can make a traffic stop if they have reasonable suspicion that you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once stopped, law enforcement officers will likely test your intoxication levels with a breathalyzer test and field sobriety tests. If you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher or you appear inebriated, officers can place you under arrest or detain you.

Once you have been arrested for a DUI, officers will send a notification to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV will review the charges against you and decide whether to suspend your license. If your license is suspended, you can request a DMV hearing within ten days of your arrest to ask for your license to be reinstated. If you do not request this hearing or you lose this hearing, you will not get your license back.

The DMV hearing is different from a criminal hearing and does not affect whether you will be convicted of DUI charges. Our DUI lawyers will immediately begin preparing your legal defense to reduce or remove the penalties you are facing.

What Are the Potential Penalties of a Drunk Driving Charge in Encino?

Penalties for a DUI charge depend on the severity of your charges and your criminal history. Most first-time DUIs are charged as misdemeanors. However, if your DUI involves bodily injury or death or you have multiple prior DUI convictions, your DUI may be charged as a felony. Felony charges are more serious and can carry more severe penalties than misdemeanors.

The following penalties are the most common for a DUI charge:

  • Three to five years of probation
  • Six months driver’s license suspension
  • Hefty fines
  • Three months of a drug or alcohol program

A judge might also order you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. This device measures your BAC before it allows the vehicle to turn on. The IID may also request to test your BAC at random points during your travel time.

What Are the Most Common Defense Strategies for DUIs?

Your specific defense strategy will depend on your charges. However, there are some common defense strategies that our team uses often for DUI cases.

Below are the most common defense strategies for DUIs:

  • The police did not have probable cause to pull you over
  • The police did not have probable cause to detain or arrest you
  • The police made a procedural error during your traffic stop
  • You have a medical condition that skews your blood alcohol content levels
  • You have a medical condition that made it appear like you were intoxicated
  • Your breathalyzer or blood test results are inaccurate

How Can a Encino DUI Attorney Help Me?

While facing DUI charges on your own can be tempting, you are unlikely to get the outcome you deserve by talking to police or prosecutors on your own. Our experienced DUI defense team can help you reduce or even remove the penalties you are facing because of a DUI. A DUI conviction can be a serious blight on your future, and you deserve to have our knowledgeable team on your side.

At the DUI Defense Group, we focus solely on DUI and other traffic-related cases. We are confident that with our extensive experience, our Encino DUI lawyer can assist you with your DUI case. To receive a free consultation, contact our Encino law firm today by calling 866-927-3295.