Los Angeles DUI Defense Lawyer

The law and science behind driving under the influence (DUI) cases become more complicated every year. Without the skills and knowledge of an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer, a DUI defendant is likely to be convicted of the charge and face the penalties.

Los Angeles DUI defense attorney Douglas Miranda has extensive knowledge of California DUI laws and considerable experience handling DUI cases. He is passionate about protecting the rights of the accused and defending clients facing DUI charges.

Whether it’s proving that a DUI stop was illegal because law enforcement officers had no legal reason to make the stop, or if it’s contesting the results of a DUI chemical test or a field sobriety test, California DUI lawyer Douglas Miranda will cast doubt on the state’s case against you.

How Do You Contest an Automatic License Suspension?

You may or may not know that a DUI charge in this state creates two separate obstacles to retaining your driver’s privileges: the “administrative” action of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the legal process of prosecution in the criminal courts.

After a DUI arrest, the DMV imposes an automatic driver’s license suspension unless you contact the DMV within ten days and request a license suspension hearing. Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer Douglas Miranda can request a DMV hearing and accompany you to the hearing.

How Are DUI Convictions Penalized?

Under California law, first-time DUI offenders may be penalized with six months in jail, a $390 to $1,000 fine, a driver’s license suspension, and several other penalties. Like most states, DUI penalties in California become increasingly harsher for second and subsequent convictions.

Installing ignition interlock devices in their personal vehicles and completing alcohol education classes are mandatory for almost all DUI offenders. Penalties for second and third convictions within 10 years of the first include mandatory jail time and a lengthy license suspension.

A fourth or subsequent DUI offense may be charged as a felony. Felony DUI convictions entail severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.

How Are Plea Deals Handled?

In some cases, first-time offenders charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence may be allowed to plead guilty (or no contest) to the lesser charge of wet reckless, a reckless driving charge prosecutors use exclusively to move cases through the courts more quickly.

If you are not guilty, you have the right to a jury trial, and you should not accept a plea deal. If the charge against you cannot be dropped or dismissed, Los Angeles DUI attorney Douglas Miranda will develop an effective legal defense and fight aggressively for your acquittal.

What’s Your Best Option?

But if the evidence of your guilt is persuasive and a DUI conviction is certain, agreeing to plead guilty to a wet reckless charge may be your best option. A plea deal lets you avoid jail and keeps a DUI conviction off your driving record.

Los Angeles DUI defense attorney Douglas Miranda will negotiate the best possible plea arrangement on your behalf.

You should understand that if you plead guilty to wet reckless and you are convicted of drunk driving again in California within the next ten years, the wet reckless conviction will count against you for sentencing purposes as a previous driving under the influence conviction.

Can DUI Convictions Be Expunged?

In California, you can expunge a misdemeanor DUI conviction if you have completed all sentencing and probation requirements, classes, and jail/work release, and are not facing new charges. There is no waiting period after probation ends.

Expungement prevents landlords and most employers from seeing your driving under the influence conviction, but it does not remove the record from the Division of Motor Vehicles. A felony DUI conviction must be reduced to a misdemeanor before it may be expunged.

Why Should Miranda Rights Law Firm Represent You?

Experienced DUI attorney Douglas Miranda is highly esteemed by his colleagues and by the thousands of Los Angeles County clients he has defended. His lengthy and impressive record of victories in DUI cases speaks for itself.

Whether you are contesting a DMV license suspension, fighting a driving under the influence charge in a criminal court, or seeking to expunge the record of a DUI conviction, take the matter to Los Angeles DUI lawyer Douglas Miranda at Miranda Rights Law Firm.

To schedule a free case review with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact Miranda Rights Law Firm by calling 213-255-5838. Se habla español.