If you managed to get by without an attorney on your first DUI, you may think that the second time will be just as easy. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
States are on a mission to crack down on DUI, starting with repeat offenders. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in the past, it may be absolutely paramount that you consider working with an attorney.
Otherwise, you could face jail time, fines, loss of license for extended period of time, and some serious disruption to your life as a result.
Drunk driving is not taken lightly in the state of California, and you need to take your case seriously if you want to escape with as little hassle as possible.
I’m Jon Bryant Artz, and I have been a Top California DUI Lawyer for over 40 years. During my career, I have helped thousands of people reduce or drop their charges.
In this guide, I will explain to you just how severe your situation is, and why you absolutely need to work with an attorney if you want to succeed.
The California DUI Laws: What Multiple DUIs Means for You
Multiple DUIs bring much heavier charges than your first one. Judges and juries might be more lenient the first time, assuming there was no property damage or injury, but a second or third offense has more consequences.
The jail time is longer, the fees are higher, your license is suspended for longer, and you go to DUI school for longer.
These penalties can get much worse if your charges are bumped up to a felony. Subsequent offenses have a serious risk of being filed as a felony depending on the facts.
When that happens, it stays on both your criminal and driving record. That can make it difficult for you to get employment down the line. You will forever have the awkward conversation with employers about the DUI on your record.
2nd DUI
|
Between 96 hours and 1 year in jail | $2,000 to $2,500 or more total fine | Suspension up to 2 years of driver’s license | 18-30 months of DUI school |
3rd DUI
|
Between 120 days and 1 year in jail | $2,000 to $2,500 or more total fine | Suspension up to 3 years driver’s license | 30 months of DUI school |
DUI with injury
|
Between 5 days and 1 year | $390-$5000 plus any restitution for injuries | Suspension between 1-3 years driver’s license | 18-30 months of DUI school |
A. Why Hire A California DUI Attorney?
Judges are much more lenient for a first-time conviction, especially if you have an otherwise clean record. After all, everyone makes mistakes. But you won’t get that level of leniency the second time around. You will be viewed as a danger to society.
1. You Don’t Have the Time or Experience
Just because you got through your first DUI doesn’t mean that you suddenly have the experience to handle a subsequent charge. You might still be sitting in a jail cell after your charge or you might have to go back to working full-time. Either way you don’t have the time or skill to handle it yourself.
2. You Don’t Have the Resources
Lawyers have access to a wealth of information, resources, books, case studies, and statistics that you simply don’t. Access to these resources can include District Attorneys who might be prosecuting you, and the judges who might be assigned to your case.
With a lifetime of professional experience, this information could be useful to your attorney where it wouldn’t be useful to you.
3. It Can Dramatically Affect Your Life
A second, or third DUI charge can dramatically affect your life. It will stay on your record longer, follow you for years, and if it gets bumped up to a felony charge because of injuries or accidents that took place, it’s something you will have to explain to potential employers as well.
4. Attorneys Know Deadlines
Lawyers know the different deadlines associated with a first, second, and third conviction. Deadlines get tighter the worse the situation becomes. If you are busy dealing with a few days in jail, you might miss the deadline for the administrative hearing held by the DMV in order to get your license reinstated. An attorney won’t.
Most people do not know that requesting a DMV hearing is different than the court process you will undergo after a DUI arrest, attorneys do.
These minor details can make or break your case and have a huge effect on your life and license suspensions.
5. Attorneys Know Hardships
Things get much worse the second time around, but you might be the sole provider for your family and still need to get to and from work every day. You might need to go to and from school to drop off and pick up all of your children who don’t otherwise have a way to get to school.
When hardships like this present themselves, an attorney knows what paperwork to file, what extra insurance you might need, and how to get you temporary driving privileges for those hardships specifically.
B. Convicted of Multiple California DUIs? Work With the Best DUI Attorney Around
Penalties are more severe the second time around when it comes to being convicted of a second or third DUI.
You no longer have the advantage of being a first timer in the court’s eyes. They know you knew the rules and the consequences. That is why it is important to work with the Best DUI Lawyer in California to help fight and win your case.
Jon Bryant Artz has over 40 years of experience with California DUIs and knows the ropes. He can help walk you through this difficult process while building a case in your favor. Multiple DUI charges are not taken lightly. Even if you got off scotch free on your first DUI charge, a second or third is a total new beast to handle.
Get in touch today for a free case evaluation that can take some of the weight off of your shoulders!
