Los Angeles DUI Information
Have you been arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Los Angeles, California? This is an intimidating situation that you do not want to handle alone. It is in your best interest to get an attorney that specializes in DUI arrests on your side right away. In some cases, you can lose your license as fast as only 10 days after the date of the arrest.
In all states, the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) for a person to be considered intoxicated while driving, is .08 percent. In many cases, a person with this amount of blood alcohol does not feel impaired at all. Blood alcohol level is not the only reason a person could be arrested for DUI, but it is one that is undisputed. If you blow into a Breathalyzer and the analysis comes out .08 percent, you will be automatically considered DUI, no matter how you may be performing on other field sobriety tests. There is an “implied consent” law in California, and most other states, that requires vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical testing if suspected of DUI. This can be breath, blood or urine testing, and if the driver refuses, there is a mandatory suspension of a driver’s license, regardless of whether the individual was proven to be impaired or not. Many times, refusing the chemical testing can be a harsher punishment than getting a DUI.
There are also harsher laws for what is considered an excessive BAC level. In California, the percentage is .16 percent. People who are suspected of drunk driving and are not yet of legal age to consume alcohol will be considered driving under the influence in California if their BAC level is .01 percent or more.
Most people think of DUI as drunk driving, but there are also instances when a person can be pulled over for suspected DUI and have not been drinking, but have illegal drugs in their system, or prescription medication. Even some over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines could impair a driver enough to be considered DUI. Putting yourself or other drivers at risk on the road is not something to be taken lightly. It is important to follow all safety information when taking medications, prescribed or over-the-counter. There is also the possibility of being arrested for DUI if you have a lower than .08 BAC level if you are unable to maintain control of your vehicle or fail field sobriety tests.
Getting arrested for suspected DUI does not automatically mean you are guilty. It is extremely important that you find a lawyer experienced in California state laws for DUI. A lawyer will be able to talk you through what to expect throughout the entire process. There is a high possibility of jail time and having your driver license revoked for a DUI conviction. The severity of the penalty for a DUI violation depends on several circumstances, such as:
- Whether the driver has a history of DUI violations
- Whether the driver was operating a commercial vehicle
- Whether there was a child in the vehicle
- Whether the DUI violation occurred simultaneously with another dangerous moving violation, such as reckless driving
- Whether the DUI violation involved a car accident in which property was damaged, or worse, another person was injured or killed
- Whether the driver was under the legal drinking age at the time of the DUI violation.
Find a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who can help you in the Los Angeles Lawyers 360 Directory today.