Norwalk, CA DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with DUI in California, your most pressing issue should be understanding your legal options so you can have a chance at preserving your rights. DUI charges remain on your record indefinitely and can bar you from certain career and living opportunities, and even compromise your freedom if the penalties include time in jail or prison.

Our Norwalk DUI lawyers at Confianza Legal do not believe that your future should be threatened over a mistake. We have over two decades of experience helping people get their DUI charges reduced or dismissed altogether, and we would like to leverage this experience on your behalf. Time is of the essence when it comes to DUI charges, so reach out to us right away for a free consultation, and we can get started on a defense that can be effective for you! 

DUI Charges In California And Their Penalties

If you are pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, you will be charged with DUI. Depending on the circumstances of this arrest, your DUI can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, which will depend on factors such as:

• Whether you have previous DUIs on your record
• Whether you were driving with a minor passenger
• Whether you were driving on a suspended license
• Whether you caused property damage, injury, or death
• Whether you refused to take a chemical test after your arrest
• Whether you were driving with a BAC way over the limit

All of these are contributing factors toward the types of penalties you might incur and whether or not you might face compounding charges–for example, vehicular manslaughter, if someone was killed in a car crash caused by your reckless driving.

There are a wide variety of legal penalties you might face for your DUI charges. Those penalties could include:

• Jail time
• Fines
• Probation
• License suspension
• Mandated driving classes
• Revoked child custody
• Having an ignition interlock device installed on your device

In addition, you can face social consequences as a result of having a DUI on your record, including potentially losing your license, losing your job, being denied housing, or being dropped from your car insurance. You can also have your reputation damaged among your friends, family, and peers who might be judgemental about criminal activity on your record. 

How Our Norwalk DUI Lawyers Can Help

When you work with our Norwalk DUI lawyers, we can get to know you and the circumstances of your charges so we can create a strategic defense that has the best chance of getting your charges reduced or dropped. 

• Did you take a field sobriety test or a breath test? Perhaps you passed or, if not, we might try to prove that these tests are faulty.
• Was there a search and seizure of your vehicle? We could potentially prove that this search was illegal and the evidence inadmissible.
• Did you take a blood test? We might prove that it was conducted or stored improperly.
• Is there video evidence of your driving or behavior? We might use it to prove that you did not act recklessly or drunkenly. 
• Were you intoxicated against your will? We can argue this is an important factor, and you shouldn’t be found guilty.

There are other lines of argument we can pursue, but these are a few examples of tactics we might use. For a truly strategic defense, we will need to work with you and get to know you and your charges. 

Confianza Legal Can Defend Your Rights

Our experienced Norwalk DUI lawyers at Confianza Legal want to help you defend your rights against DUI charges. We know that DUIs occur for a variety of reasons, and we do not believe that you should be in jail or losing out on opportunities because of this incident. Reach out because time is of the essence! Schedule a free consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be charged with DUI if I am a minor under 21?

Yes, you can be charged with a DUI if you are a minor driving with a BAC over .01, and the consequences can be severe. You are at risk of losing your license and facing other charges, including fines and jail time and mandatory driving classes. A DUI on your record can also mean that you are barred from some educational opportunities. 

Do I have to take a breathalyzer test if I am pulled over?

There is some confusion surrounding breathalyzers and chemical testing during a DUI stop. If you are not under arrest, you do not have to comply with breath tests or field sobriety tests. However, if you are arrested, you must comply with chemical testing or else risk the loss of your license and elevated penalties should you be convicted. 

Can I be charged with a DUI for smoking marijuana?

Yes, marijuana DUIs are a possible result of choosing to smoke and drive. Our legal counsel is familiar with the current state of marijuana laws in California, and we can help guide you through these charges.