If you've been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Long Beach, you may wonder whether you should involve an attorney.
This is an important issue to consider. If you wouldn’t do surgery on yourself or perform your own dental work, why would you try to take on something as difficult and complicated as the criminal justice system by yourself?
And just like in medicine, the sooner you seek the advice and assistance of an expert, the more likely you are to have a better outcome.
An aggressive and experienced Long Beach DUI attorney will know what to look for and how to find it. Police video, audio, personnel records, maintenance logs and reports for the testing equipment, and a long list of other information will be essential for your defense.
In criminal court, you may face imprisonment in jail as well as heavy fines, community service, counseling, mandatory drug/alcohol treatment or rehabilitation, and the required installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) – that is the machine you must blow into before you can start your car.
This is a legal process; law enforcement and the prosecution are not interested in the impact this could have on your life, they will be working hard to try to secure a conviction against you. Your Long Beach DUI lawyer will be the only person on your side, standing in the way of a potential conviction, DUI penalties, a criminal record, and a limited future.
In addition, when you are arrested for DUI, the arresting officer will confiscate your driver's license and give you a "notice of suspension" that will serve as a temporary license good for only 30 days from the arrest. You only have 10 days from the date of the arrest to contact the Drivers Safety Office of the DMV to request a hearing and challenge the suspension of your driver's license. If you don’t, your license will be suspended regardless of the outcome of your case.
Certainly, if you qualify, you may utilize the services of the Court Appointed Public Defender, however the Public Defender does not represent clients in DMV actions.
Most folks don’t realize that the DMV hearing and your criminal case are two entirely separate parts to your DUI charges. Even if you are not found guilty of DUI, the DMV could still suspend your license.
This firm will represent your interests in your DMV hearing to help ensure that you have the best chance at keeping your driving privileges. Many people in Long Beach need a license to keep a job and care for themselves and their families – neither the court nor the DMV are concerned with your personal problems. If keeping your license is important to you, you should speak immediately with an experienced DUI lawyer to discuss your options and to learn how your right to drive can be protected in the DMV hearing.
