How to Reduce the Consequences of a DUI
If you are convicted of DUI in California, you face severe consequences. You could be required to spend time in jail and forced to pay expensive fines. You might lose your license, and your insurance premiums will increase.
So is there anything you can do to minimize the impact of a DUI charge? The good news is that there are several things you may be able to do to reduce the consequences of DUI.
- Hire an Attorney
The first step you should take is to hire an experienced DUI defense attorney. While you have the right to move forward without one, an attorney who has experience handling DUI cases will be able to evaluate your case, counsel you through the decisions you have to make, and prepare a defense strategy.
In addition, you should be aware that a DUI is a two-part case. Not only are you facing criminal charges from a criminal complaint, but you are also facing a DMV hearing to decide whether your license will be suspended. You need an attorney who can effectively advocate for you in both of these cases.
- Negotiate a Plea Bargain
After evaluating your case, your attorney may be able to negotiate with prosecutors for a charge with softer consequences. In California, it is common for a DUI to be pled down to a charge of wet reckless, which is reckless driving involving alcohol.
If this happens, you will plead guilty to the crime but you will generally receive a shorter probation period, pay fewer fines and you will keep your license. You will also save the time and money that would have been spent on trial, have the ability to get your criminal record expunged faster and experience less of an increase on your auto insurance premium.
- Probation and Rehabilitation Programs
If you are convicted of DUI, you could potentially be sentenced to jail. However, you may be able to avoid jail time by being placed on probation. You will need to abide by the terms and conditions that the court places on your probation. These conditions may include paying fines and restitution to any victims, attending court-ordered alcohol education programs, and refraining from driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system.
If this is your second or third DUI conviction or a first offense that caused an injury, your attorney may be able to convince the court that you should spend time in an inpatient alcohol treatment facility instead of in jail. If the court agrees, you must remember that your attendance is mandatory, and you will likely have to prove that you have remained sober for a period of time following your release from the facility.
- Expungement of Your Record
If you are convicted of misdemeanor DUI, you may be eligible to have your record expunged after you probation has ended. An expungement is when the court sets aside your DUI conviction and dismisses your case.
The benefit of this is that your conviction will no longer appear on your record, which will mean you no longer have to disclose your conviction on job applications. An expungement also means your DUI will no longer affect your credit report, meaning it will be easier to get a loan to buy a house or a new car.
Contact the DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich
A DUI conviction could follow you around for the rest of your life, but it doesn’t have to. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience successfully defending California drivers who have been accused of DUI. Let us help you now.
With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, San Diego, Torrance and Sherman Oaks, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich DUI defense attorney near you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.
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