Hawaiian Gardens DUI Lawyer

Hawaiian Gardens DUI Attorney

Despite being one of the smallest cities in Los Angeles County, Hawaiian Gardens deals with DUI enforcement difficulties similar to those faced by larger municipalities. The city’s position along major routes, including Carson Street and Norwalk Boulevard, ensures strong traffic enforcement and consistent DUI arrests. When arrested for a DUI, a Hawaiian Gardens DUI lawyer can help you fight for your future.

Why Choose Us

At Gibbons & Gibbons, we blend extensive courtroom achievements with dedicated client service. As a team of passionate trial lawyers, we prioritize the protection of your legal rights and bring over 60 years of accumulated legal experience to defend hundreds of DUI clients across Los Angeles County.

What Is a DUI?

California considers driving under the influence (DUI) a criminal act when someone drives while or immediately after consuming alcohol or drugs. The blood alcohol concentration limit stands at 0.08% for regular drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.01% for drivers under 21.

An officer can charge you with a DUI even when your BAC is below legal limits if they determine your driving abilities are impaired. The definition of DUI covers impairment from illegal drugs and prescription medications as well as over-the-counter drugs that impact motor skills or mental clarity.

In 2020, Los Angeles County had 17,780 DUI arrests. Of these, 852 were felony arrests, 35 were juvenile arrests, and 16,893 were misdemeanor arrests.

How a DUI Arrest Happens

The majority of DUI arrests in Hawaiian Gardens result from standard traffic checkpoints, sobriety roadblocks, and vehicle accidents. Police training prepares officers to detect signs of impaired driving through behaviors like erratic vehicle operation and failing to follow traffic rules.

During a traffic stop, the officer can question you while observing your behavior and conducting field sobriety tests. You may face requests for a breathalyzer test or blood analysis if the officer believes you are intoxicated. California’s implied consent law enforces automatic license suspension when drivers refuse to submit to chemical tests. Errors can occur throughout the entire process at each stage.

Law enforcement officers in Hawaiian Gardens make DUI arrests during routine traffic stops and at sobriety checkpoints. There are several potential sources of error in DUI assessments, including faulty breathalyzer calibration and improper execution of field sobriety tests. Being arrested does not guarantee a conviction, thus demonstrating the importance of obtaining legal representation immediately after detention or charges.

California DUI Penalties

In Hawaiian Gardens, a DUI charge represents a significant legal issue with rapid and severe repercussions. California imposes increasingly severe penalties for DUI convictions depending on how many times a person has been convicted before and the unique details of their current case. Potential penalties include:

• First DUI Offense. The consequences for a first offense could include jail time between 48 hours and 6 months, monetary fines from $390 to $1,000 with penalty assessments, a driver’s license suspension lasting 6 months, and completion of a mandatory 3-month alcohol or drug treatment program.
• Second DUI Offense: A second DUI offense within 10 years can result in 96 hours to 1 year of county jail time along with fines from $390 to $1,000 and additional assessments, a 2-year driver’s license suspension, and an 18- to 30-month alcohol or drug treatment program.
• Third DUI Offense. Consequences for a third DUI in 10 years may include 120 days to 1 year in county jail, along with fines from $390 to $1,000 (plus assessments), a 3-year driver’s license revocation, and an 18- to 30-month alcohol or drug treatment program if it has not been completed previously.
• Refusal to submit to a chemical test. California’s implied consent law mandates a 1-year license suspension for a first-time refusal of a blood or breath test and increases to 2 years for a second refusal and 3 years for a third refusal.

The presence of a minor in the vehicle, incidents resulting in injury or death, and blood alcohol levels at 0.15% or above trigger harsher punishments such as extended incarceration, increased financial penalties, and felony charges, even for first-time offenders.

FAQs

Why Do Lawyers Drag Out DUI Cases?

Lawyers may drag out DUI cases to obtain additional evidence or negotiate improved results and take advantage of beneficial circumstances like missing witnesses or mistakes in procedures. Extended time frames can help construct a strong defense while exposing flaws in the prosecution’s case. Experienced attorneys focus on achieving the greatest possible resolution instead of creating purposeless delays that might appear strategic.

What Is the Penalty for a First-Time DUI in California?

In California, the penalties for a first-time DUI include fines, a suspended license, mandatory completion of DUI education classes, and possible jail time. The court has the authority to enforce a probation period and demand the installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle. The severity of penalties depends on BAC level and other factors, but multiple offenses receive harsher consequences.

Can a Good Lawyer Get You Out of a DUI?

A good lawyer can possibly get you out of a DUI depending on the circumstances and their skill level, but there is no guarantee. A DUI attorney who challenges the validity of the traffic stop, breathalyzer results, or evidence handling can often achieve charge reduction or dismissal. Your chances of dismissal aren’t certain, but a competent lawyer can potentially secure a reduced charge or sentence when facing a first-time offense with weak evidence.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in California?

In California, a DUI stays on your driving record for ten years and on your criminal record permanently. Prior convictions during the 10-year period result in increased penalties for subsequent DUI offenses. An expungement may be available for criminal convictions. While expungement clears convictions from your criminal history, it does not remove them from your DMV record or alter your insurance rates.

Contact Gibbons & Gibbons, A Law Corporation, Today

Being charged with a DUI can have serious life-altering consequences. If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, Gibbons & Gibbons can help. Contact us today to begin fighting for your future.