DUI Defense Lawyer in Santa Monica
First DUI Offense
A first DUI offense, though the least serious of all drunk driving offenses that a person may be accused of committing, may still have an immense impact on a defendant in various ways. A driver may still face imprisonment in county jail, fines and license suspension, among other penalties. The most important thing you can do to protect your future is to work with a Santa Monica DUI lawyer who understands the ins and outs of drunk driving laws related to first time offenders. Your attorney will be your first and only line of defense in this matter – enabling you to challenge your charges at your DMV hearing and in criminal court.
Depending on the county where the offense occurs and whether any “aggravating factors” were present that would enhance sentencing, a defendant convicted of a first DUI may face the following penalties in California:
In addition to these penalties, a driver will face the burden of dealing with issues related to employment, finances and housing with a conviction on his or her criminal record. Even though a first DUI is most often a misdemeanor offense, this may still have a lasting impact on your life.
Santa Monica DUI Attorney
When you act immediately and talk to an attorney about your first DUI offense in the Santa Monica area, you can get the information you need to make the right choices about your case. The earlier you involve an attorney, the more of a difference he or she will be likely to make. At the Law Offices of Loren M. Merlin, we are committed to our clients, utilizing our resources and knowledge on their behalf to protect their futures.
Contact a Santa Monica First DUI Attorney today to discuss your case and what can be done to challenge your charges.