Los Angeles DUI Attorney
With 75 years of combined experience and thousands of DUI cases successfully resolved in Los Angeles County...you could not find a better firm to represent you for your Los Angeles DUI matter. You owe it to yourself to call me and set-up a free face to face consultation regarding your Los Angeles DUI case. Do not be fooled by some sales person over the phone. You want to meet and talk to the attorney that will represent you...especially if your case is in Los Angeles. I personally have been handling drunk driving casesfor almost 2 decades....if your case is in Los Angeles, please call me at (866) 986-2092 (just ask for a free consultation with Ron Hedding).
Sometimes you may have had too much to drink without even realizing it. You insert the keys into your ignition, start your vehicle and drive off, only to find yourself later being pulled over by law enforcement. You may then be asked by the officer to perform a number of sobriety tests. These tests are used as an attempt to assess your mental and physical status, and to determine whether or not you are legally under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you are suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs you may be arrested immediately for DUI (driving under the influence) and your driver's license will be confiscated.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney in our office to learn more.
Aggressive Drunk Driving (DUI) Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles
In order to save your reputation and driving privileges, and to keep you out of jail, it is important that you contact a professional Los Angeles DUI attorney today. A defense lawyer that is well-educated regarding California DUI law and DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) regulations will be able to defend your rights under California law. At the Hedding Law Firm we are 100% committed to going that extra mile to protect our clients' rights and freedom. Our lawyers provide exceptional DUI defense and not only will we fight to keep you out of jail, but will look to clear your name and keep your record clean.
Whether or not you were swerving while driving, had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol on your breath, in California, you may still be charged with driving under the influence. If you had a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.08% or higher, often referred to as DUI "per se", you will also be charged. In addition, law enforcement has the right to arrest you if they suspect that you are under the influence, regardless of whether or not you pass the sobriety tests. In California, the legal system is very harsh on a person convicted of driving under the influence. Throughout the State of California, drunk driving accidents are often the cause behind numerous deaths and injuries every year. For this very reason, California has very strict penalties.
Jury Instructions For DUI Cases
Jury Instructions Calcrim 2110 states that a defendant is charged with driving under the influence if driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in violations of Vehicle Code, § 23152(a).
Jury Instructions Calcrim 2111 states that a defendant is charged with driving under the influence if the defendant was driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher.
Depending on the seriousness of your case, and how many times you have been previously arrested and convicted within a ten year period for DUI, you will be looking at the following penalties for a driving under the influence conviction:
1st Time Offense:
- 48 hours - 6 months jail time
- $390 - $1000 fine
- 90 day - 6 month license suspension
- Community service
- Probation
2nd Time Offense:
- 10 days - 1 year in jail
- $390 - $1000 fine
- 2 year license suspension
- 18-30 month alcohol/drug program
- Possible installation of ignition interlock device
- Community service
- Up to 5 years probation
3rd Time Offense:
- 120 days to 1 year in jail
- $390 - $1000 fine
- 3 year driver's license revocation
- 18-30 month alcohol/drug program
- Possible installation of ignition interlock device
- Community service
- 1-5 years of probation
4th or Subsequent Offense:
- 180 days to 1 year in jail
- $390 - $1000 fine
- 4 year license revocation by DMV
- 18-30 month mandatory alcohol/drug program
- Installation of ignition interlock device
- Community service
- Probation for 1-5 years
In addition, if any other crime such as hit and run or vehicular manslaughter occurs as a result, you will be facing additional charges and consequences for your negligence. At the Hedding Law Firm, we have dedicated ourselves for many years to providing excellent defense strategies. We provide legal services to clients and their cases throughout the Los Angeles area and all of California. Our number one goal is to provide you with outstanding legal defense and a positive outcome for your DUI case.
PC 1000 and Prop 36: Alternative Sentencing Programs
If this is your first offense, under California Penal Code 1000 (pc 1000), you may be able to avoid jail time altogether by qualifying for alternative sentencing. In addition, under the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act; Proposition 36 (Prop 36), a first or second time offender may qualify for a state regulated treatment program instead of incarceration. The Los Angeles criminal attorneys at our firm know and understand exactly what criteria must be met in order to qualify for alternative sentencing.
Get the Help of a Professional Los Angeles DUI Attorney
We have the qualifications and experience to provide DUI defense for all types of complex misdemeanor or felony driving under the influence cases. We offer a free initial consultation to potential clients. During this meeting we can look at the facts of your case, review the police report and answer any questions that you may have. We may also be able to determine whether or not we feel that you meet the qualifications for either pc 1000 or Prop 36.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, it is very important that you contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to schedule a DMV hearing in order to protect your driving privileges and keep your license from becoming automatically suspended. An attorney at our firm can represent you at this hearing to offer you the best chance of getting your license back.
In need of an experienced drunk driving lawyer?
Contact Hedding Law Firm today!