If a police officer has pulled you over and charged you with a DUI, a team member from the Morales Law Firm knows that you may be thinking: what does this mean for me? Can you simply move on from these charges? Can you pay it off like a regular speeding ticket and go back to your life? DUI charges are not in the same category as speeding tickets or other minor traffic infractions. In fact, if you are not fighting against these charges or working with a DUI defense lawyer, you are not doing everything you can to avoid a conviction. The punishments for a DUI are extremely serious and it is important that you work with a defense lawyer as soon as possible so that they can begin reviewing the information and learn how they can best represent you.
What will happen immediately following a police officer charging me with a DUI?
If a police officer has charged you with a DUI and taken you to jail, there are a few things you can expect.
- You will likely be released from jail shortly. This could be within just a few hours of your DUI arrest. Unless you are being charged with a DUI in addition to more serious charges (someone else was injured or killed because of the DUI), then you will likely be able to call someone to pick you up and take you home. This does not mean your legal battle is over.
- Your driver’s license might be suspended. When this is the case, it can make living your life incredibly difficult. This is another reason it is a smart move to work with a DUI lawyer San Francisco, CA residents rely on during this time. Your lawyer can help you get in contact with the DMV as soon as possible to get a hearing to challenge a license suspension. While you are waiting for your hearing, you may still be able to drive. Even if you are not fully able to protect your license, your lawyer may be able to argue for your to get a restricted license so that you can still drive to work or school, especially if this is a first-time offense.
- If you are convicted of a DUI and it is your first offense in California, you may have jail time or you may get probation, fines, community service, or an alcohol offender program. In addition, the conviction will stay on your record and may impact your driver’s license, where you are able to get a job, and whether you can keep your job. Repeat DUIs carry worse offenses, like jail time, license suspension, and worse if there are aggravating factors.
It is paramount that you begin working with a DUI lawyer you can rely on from the start if you have been charged with a DUI. They can help you understand what you can expect from the process and what your chances are for getting the charges reduced or dropped. If you would like to work with a lawyer from the Morales Law Firm, call our office now.
