If you have been charged with DUI in California, the first thing you should do is contact Perlman & Cohen because a conviction can bring devastating changes your life. Your life may not be over but DUI will put your career and livelihood in jeopardy. Your finances may be ruined for years. Criminal penalties, costly court-ordered classes, and alternative transportation, among others, combined with a possible loss of income, will definitely impact your lifestyle.
Going to college or buying a new house will be a problem because lending institutions frown on criminal behavior. Insurance rates will jump as well. If your car was impounded by the police, there is a fee to get it released. And all this is just the start of your financial woes.
Many companies have employees sign contracts that contain information relative to criminal behavior and states that this is grounds for dismissal.
So, you could be legally fired for a DUI. And if that happens, it will be difficult to find another job since those other companies have the option to do a background check on you. If they do, they will easily find the DUI because it stays on your record for 10 years – all the more reason to hire a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney. They can do a lot to help you including plea bargain to reduce the charges.
In some professions, where licensing or certifications are required, job loss is very probable. This includes medical professions like doctors and nurses, legal professionals, and commercial transportation drivers. Anyone who deals with the public and needs a high degree of credibility is at risk when given a DUI. Military and government officials who have security clearance are examples of those who have to face a new reality as a result of DUI.
Your freedoms will change with a DUI, starting with jail or prison time. Furthermore, you will have less time for recreation and travel with the court-ordered classes (e.g., mandatory DUI classes AA classes) and court appearances you will face, and your travel experience will be very different after a DUI. Even if you can still drive your own car, an IID (ignition interlock device) will be installed and you will have to deal with that. Or you will have to get used to public transportation – buses, Uber cabs, subways, or have to ride with friends.
And forget that travel to other countries because DUI travelers will not be allowed to visit them. There are DUI restrictions in Canada, Japan, Australia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Malaysia, among others.
Canada, especially, is very strict about not allowing American visitors with DUI records. About one-third of all vehicle accident deaths in Canada are caused by impaired drivers. More people die from impaired drivers than from murder in Canada. And they strongly believe it is preventable.
You will need authorization from Canadian immigration officials to get there. But there are some other ways to enter the country. You should consult with a Los Angeles Defense Lawyer to learn about getting a Temporary Residence Permit or entering Canada through the Criminal Rehabilitation process.
DUI affects immigration, too. If you plan to apply for a Green Card, keep in mind that part of that process is to do background checks. Any criminal record will make the process much more difficult.
Family life can suffer from a DUI. Repeated offenses or accidents caused by DUI can tear apart families. Spouses sometimes separate. If you have children, your ability to care for them can change. You could lose custody over a DUI. This is a chain-reaction effect of DUI that can be the most devastating of all.
There is a lot to deal with. The jail time, fines, fees, probation, and 10-year record are part of it. Many people suffer embarrassment and remorse from all the after-effects, and when the loss is extensive, it can lead to great depression. DUI offenders suffer a loss of self-esteem. Their reputation is damaged. They may be out of a job. They may have a broken family.
Their friends and colleagues look at them in an entirely different way. If the DUI caused an accident and someone was injured or death was the result, it is even more devastating to the DUI driver. And the sadness doesn’t even end here. The ultimate negative outcome of DUI can include suicidal thoughts or actions by the driver.
There are two primary laws for DUI offenders in California. The first is Vehicle Code 23152(a) that makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The second is Vehicle Code 23152(b) that makes it illegal to drive with a BAC of .08% or greater. There is a good chance that anyone arrested for DUI will be given both charges.
There are also two main factors for determining the severity of a DUI. They are whether you had prior DUIs and whether there were any injuries as a result of your DUI. The charges may be filed as a misdemeanor (e.g. first-time offender, no one was injured, etc.) or a felony (e.g. 4 previous DUIs or someone was injured). The time to hire a Los Angeles Defense Attorney is at the beginning, before the DMV Hearing when there is still a chance to prevent your license from being s
For multiple offenders, there is a 10-year window of probationary time, and penalties get more serious with each offense – another reason to have a good relationship with a Los Angeles Defense Lawyer.
The defendant can get up to 6 months of jail time and suspension of driver’s license for 4-10 months (but driving may be allowed by getting an IID for 6 months); $390- $1000 in fines; 3 or 9 months of DUI classes.
The defendant can get 96 hours to 1 year in jail and suspension of driver’s license for 2 years (but driving may be allowed by getting an IID for 1 year); $390- $1000 in fines; 18 or 30 months of DUI classes on a second offense.
The defendant can get 120 days to 1 year in jail; driver’s license suspension for 3 years (but driving may be allowed by getting an IID for 2 years); $390-$1000 in fines; 30 months of DUI classes.
The defendant can get 5 days to 1 year in Jail; driver’s license suspension for 1 to 3 years (but driving may be allowed by getting an IID for 6 months); $390-$5000 in fines plus restitution for injured parties; 3, 18, 0r 30 months of DUI classes.
The defendant can get 16 months to 16 years in state prison; driver’s license suspension for 1 year (but driving may be allowed by getting an IID for 1 year); $1015-$5000 in fines plus restitution for injured parties; 18 or 30 months of DUI classes.
The defendant can get 16 months or 2 years or 3 years in state prison; driver’s license suspension for up to 5 years; $390-$1000 in fines; 18 or 30 months of DUI classes.
Contact Perlman & Cohen For A Free Consultation The Los Angeles assault attorneys are experienced with many cases of DUI and can advise you of your rights and help you outline a proper defense that will maximize the outcome of your case. Contact Attorney Daniel Perlman or Matthew Cohen at Perlman & Cohen, (310) 557-1700.
