Nearly 1,300 people throughout California were charged with DUI during the holiday period, including nearly 300 in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Coming into the new year, the last thing a person wants is major baggage hanging over from the previous year. Facing a DUI charge in Los Angeles can make life more difficult and stressful at a time when most people are hoping to start anew.
Our Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers recognize that facing a DUI charge is a big hassle, but it should also be taken seriously. That's because a DUI charge in Los Angeles can lead to major penalties.
Even for a first-time DUI offense, a driver is looking at the potential for being on probation for three years, which include monthly fees and constant contact with a probation officer. A conviction could also lead to up to six months in jail, fines and fees upward of $2,500, a requirement to attend an alcohol education program, an ignition interlock device installation and a driver's license suspension for up to 10 months.
And, in most DUI cases, a judge won't simply sentence a defendant to some of these conditions, but usually the person is saddled with having to comply with most of these penalties. That's all the more reason to fight back against the state in defense of the charges.
But there is also a second element to DUI cases and that's fighting to keep your driver's license. What many people don't know is that when you are arrested and charged with DUI in Los Angeles, you only have 10 days to request a hearing with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to try to keep your license. If you don't request an administrative hearing, your license automatically gets suspended for 30 days.
There are technical issues that must be raised by an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer and representing yourself may not be the best option. The DMV hearing is separate from the criminal case, and different types of issues that deal with a driver's license must be brought up to a hearing officer or magistrate.
For many people, these issues are timely and must be brought up quickly. The Times reports that statewide there were 1,270 arrests made by the California Highway Patrol and another 274 in Los Angeles County alone. That was over a 78-hour period between Friday and Monday of the New Year's holiday weekend.
The 274 arrests in Los Angeles were up from 228 last year. Statewide numbers were way up, as an additional 309 people now face DUI charges to start 2012 compared to 2011. Some officials say the increase could be attributed to New Year's Day falling on a Sunday, so there was an additional day included in the law enforcement period.
Either way, that is a lot of people who now have a difficult task to face. But significant defenses can be raised in order to help a DUI suspect.
If you need to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates at 213-223-2173 for a free consultation.
More Blog Entries:
Be Prepared for Los Angeles DUI Arrests This Holiday Season: December 19, 2011
Additional Resources:
New Year's tally: 25 killed, 1,270 DUI arrests across the state, by Rick Rojas, Los Angeles Times
