Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers Blog
If you have been arrested for a DUI, it is nothing more than a charge against you. Oftentimes, an arrest alone does not manifest into a charge. You may appear in Court on the date assigned, and find that no charges had yet been filed. However, that is not always the case.
A charge alone does not lead to a conviction. You can only be convicted in one of two ways; 1) you enter a plea of guilty, or 2) you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in trial. There are ways to prepare your case so that you give yourself the best possible chance of getting your case dismissed, or in the very least reduced.
There are many different ways you can fight a Los Angeles DUI Offense.
- Hire a DUI Attorney
One of the best things you can do for yourself is hire a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer. A DUI professional has over 30 years of experience and knowledge. They are fully acquainted with not only the criminal justice system and the criminal laws, but the Judges, clerks, and prosecutors as well. This is very helpful when you have no knowledge of the criminal system and need someone to guide you as to what steps to take and what options are in your best interest.
- Defenses
The laws make available certain defenses to a person who has been charged with a Los Angeles DUI. These DUI defenses, if presented successfully, can help reduce or even dismiss a DUI charge. For example, an officer needs probable cause to pull you over if you are driving. They also need probable cause to question you regarding intoxication or to ask you to submit to an alcohol screening test. These are requirements in order to protect a person’s fourth amendment rights. If these requirements are not met, or if officer’s didn’t follow proper procedure, then the evidence they have gathered may not be lawfully presented.
- Know the Procedure
When you appear in Court on a charge, the prosecutor will offer you a plea bargain. This is an offer for a lesser sentence if you plead guilty without going to trial. This is a crucial piece of the criminal justice procedure. It allows the Court to conclude cases quickly, and it allows some people to get a better offer than they might have at trial. The trick is knowing when to accept the offer and when to push towards trial. This is nearly impossible to know without the guidance of a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer who has many years of experience.
If you have been charged with a DUI, do not assume that you have already been convicted. There are many ways you can fight the charge and possible have the case dismissed or reduced. However, one thing is for sure, you cannot do it without the help of a DUI Professional. With their guidance and help, you will know exactly how to proceed and will give yourself the best possible odds in getting the results you really want!