Do I need a lawyer for a DUI case in Califonia? What are the fines/penalties of DUI in CA?
i crashed my car while driving under the influence. i did not hit anyone or hurt myself (thank God). As i was about to call a tow truck to tow my car , there comes the police. They asked me few questions which led to sobriety and breathelizer test. I scored 0.11 BAC above the legal limit, arrested a...
i crashed my car while driving under the influence. i did not hit anyone or hurt myself (thank God). As i was about to call a tow truck to tow my car , there comes the police. They asked me few questions which led to sobriety and breathelizer test. I scored 0.11 BAC above the legal limit, arrested and jailed for DUI. I will be going to court soon. My lawyer wants 00 to represent me in court? should i use my lawyer or just go with a public defender? what kind of fines/penalties am i gonna be expecting? what preparations should i make before the court date? this is my first dui case so any advice will be appreciated. trust me i've learnt DONT DRINK & DRIVE.
You might not get a public defender appointed. The Court will look at your income and assets, and might determine that you can afford one, even if you think you can’t. If you’ve got a job, I’ll bet the Court will deny the public defender, or expect you to repay the Court for his/her service.
The breathalyzer reading is prima facie evidence that you were intoxicated, so it might be hard to beat as your .11 is above the .08 limit for prima facie evidence of DUI.
An attorney might be able to get you into some sort of diversion program or reduce your sentence. In my experience, $2500 is cheap for a good DUI attorney.
If you admit you are guilty, and it certainly looks like you are, then tell the prosecutor/DA/County Attorney that you just want to plead guilty. Ask them to dismiss any simple misdemeanor companion cases in exchange for you pleading guilty and getting the minimum punishment.
Google the penalties for OWI 1st in Cali.
Glad you "learnt" that, if not how to spell.
Yes – pay the 2500 for an attorney – otherwise the courts will just chew you up and spit you out and it will cost you far more in the long run.
Ok, I just got a dui. Here is what I received:
$1648 fine
First time DUI Class (3 Month) $545
MADD class $35
HAMM Programm $100
You must now get a SR22 with insurance
if this is your first DUI, you do not need a lawyer.
$2500 is about right for an attorney……. and you need one. Here’s the deal. A DUI is serious and even though you didn’t hit anybody the fact that you were in an accident makes it more serious.
If you show without an attorney the judge will feel that you are not taking this seriously and will throw the book at you. An attorney may be able to cut you a deal of some sort. And if you factor in how much this will effect insurance 2500 is worth it.
Don’t plead GUILTY! That is the absolute worst advice you can get, and it’s irresponsible.
You can probably get a plea deal in which you would get a lesser charger in exchange for a No Contest plea.
Get an attorney. Don’t take advice from strangers on the Internet!
Good luck to you.