Expert Assistance from a San Diego County DUI Attorney

Preparing for a criminal case requires a great deal of knowledge and experience in the particular area of law that each case falls under.  This is especially true with DUI cases.  You’ll want to hire the best possible attorney for your case, so you should consult with an attorney who specializes in driving under the influence cases to help you build your San Diego DUI defense.  Just like you’d want to visit a neurosurgeon if you had a brain injury or a dermatologist if you had a skin problem, you should choose an attorney who specializes in DUI cases so that you have the benefit of an experienced professional who understands the complex DUI laws.

DUI Criminal Offense

DUI is a criminal offense and the severity of the charges against you depends on a number of factors that vary from one case to another.  If you have had several prior DUI convictions, you may face a felony DUI charge depending on when those convictions took place.  If you damaged anyone else’s property or caused injury to vehicle passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians while you were under the influence, the charges can also be more severe.  If you’re facing serious DUI charges or even a felony DUI charge, contact a San Diego County DUI lawyer so you can begin building your San Diego DUI defense immediately after your arrest.

If you go to trial and are convicted of driving under the influence, the penalties you face will depend on several things.  If the DUI charge was a felony instead of a misdemeanor, the penalties will be harsher.  Prior convictions also come into play when your sentencing takes place.  Sentencing will be less severe for someone who has no prior offenses than someone who has three prior offenses.  Property damage and bodily injuries caused during driving while under the influence can also make the penalties you face more severe.  Don’t wait until your trial is coming close before you think about talking to an attorney.  The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner you can start working on building your San Diego DUI defense.

DUI Administrative Penalties

Unlike many other criminal cases, DUI also has administrative penalties.  Your license will be suspended and you won’t be able to drive even though you didn’t even have a chance to give your defense in court.  The only way around this is to request a hearing to see if you can get your temporary license extended until your trial.  If you have a qualified San Diego County DUI attorney representing you, you’ll have a much better chance of making that happen.