DUI
Charged with a DUI?
As an experienced defense attorney, David Canty understands the severity of consequences DUI charges can have on your life, career, and personal reputation. He also knows that this process is anything but ordinary for you. That’s why our goal is to help you understand the law, your options, and the legal process that will ensue.
At the law firm of David Canty, we will do everything in our power to protect your future and wellbeing when you are charged with a DUI in Southern California.
What counts as a DUI in the state of California
While there are several ways to get convicted of a DUI, the most common is to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) over the legal limit. This legal limit changes based on four situations:
- .08% if you are over the age of 21 and hold a regular driver’s license
- .04% if you have a commercial driver’s license, regardless of if you were driving a commercial vehicle
- .04% if you are already on DUI probation
- .01% if you are under the age of 21
DUI can also apply to other substances that affect your driving such as:
- Illegal Drugs
- Prescription medications (and some cold medicines)
In these cases, you can get convicted of a DUI even if your BAC isn’t above the legal limit.
Understanding DUI charges in the state of California
DUI charges hold more penalties depending on how many charges you’ve faced within a ten-year period. That being said, you don’t want even one DUI charge remaining on your record.
For first time offenders, you face penalties like:
- Three years of DUI probation
- Fines of up to $3000
- License suspension
- Three months of DUI school
- Possible jail time
All of the above penalties are under the assumption that no accidents or injuries occurred due to the DUI. However, the penalties only get more severe for every subsequent charge.
Most penalties can be avoided with dropped or dismissed charges, except for license suspension. However, license suspension periods can even be lessened if you work quickly to fight your DUI charges.
Mistakes Can Be Made
Often times, errors are made during arrests and/or in the crime lab following the arrest. We will review all of the records to see if there were errors made that we could challenge.
- Failure to read Miranda rights
- Improper administration of sobriety test
- Mis-calibrated breathalyzers
- Invalid test results due to medical condition
- Improper seizures of blood sample
Exploring Every Option
DUIs are always worth fighting. A DUI conviction remains on your record for life and can affect job applications, insurance rates, professional licensing, and much more. Contesting a DUI gives you a chance of a complete dismissal or at a minimum receiving a less serious offense.
Whether this is your first charge or fourth, you should never fight DUI charges yourself. As experienced lawyers, we have the knowledge and expertise necessary to win your case.
Our top priority is protecting your legal rights and your driver’s license. We will work closely with you to examine all the evidence, police reports, etc. We investigate every option when fighting your charges and challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Whether it involves working with the prosecutor to obtain a lesser charge or challenging the case, seeking an outright dismissal of charges.
David Canty has spent his entire career defending people accused of crimes by the government. He knows how heavily the deck is stacked against the defendant in a criminal case and has successfully handled hundreds of cases. David Canty will work diligently to help you achieve your best possible outcome.
To schedule your initial consultation, please fill out this quick online form.
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If you or a loved one needs help in one of the following areas, please fill out the form and someone from our office will respond as quickly as possible.
Charged with a DUI?
As an experienced defense attorney, David Canty understands the severity of consequences DUI charges can have on your life, career, and personal reputation. He also knows that this process is anything but ordinary for you. That’s why our goal is to help you understand the law, your options, and the legal process that will ensue.
At the law firm of David Canty, we will do everything in our power to protect your future and wellbeing when you are charged with a DUI in Southern California.
What counts as a DUI in the state of California
While there are several ways to get convicted of a DUI, the most common is to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) over the legal limit. This legal limit changes based on four situations:
- .08% if you are over the age of 21 and hold a regular driver’s license
- .04% if you have a commercial driver’s license, regardless of if you were driving a commercial vehicle
- .04% if you are already on DUI probation
- .01% if you are under the age of 21
DUI can also apply to other substances that affect your driving such as:
- Illegal Drugs
- Prescription medications (and some cold medicines)
In these cases, you can get convicted of a DUI even if your BAC isn’t above the legal limit.
Understanding DUI charges in the state of California
DUI charges hold more penalties depending on how many charges you’ve faced within a ten-year period. That being said, you don’t want even one DUI charge remaining on your record.
For first time offenders, you face penalties like:
- Three years of DUI probation
- Fines of up to $3000
- License suspension
- Three months of DUI school
- Possible jail time
All of the above penalties are under the assumption that no accidents or injuries occurred due to the DUI. However, the penalties only get more severe for every subsequent charge.
Most penalties can be avoided with dropped or dismissed charges, except for license suspension. However, license suspension periods can even be lessened if you work quickly to fight your DUI charges.
Mistakes Can Be Made
Often times, errors are made during arrests and/or in the crime lab following the arrest. We will review all of the records to see if there were errors made that we could challenge.
- Failure to read Miranda rights
- Improper administration of sobriety test
- Mis-calibrated breathalyzers
- Invalid test results due to medical condition
- Improper seizures of blood sample
Exploring Every Option
DUIs are always worth fighting. A DUI conviction remains on your record for life and can affect job applications, insurance rates, professional licensing, and much more. Contesting a DUI gives you a chance of a complete dismissal or at a minimum receiving a less serious offense.
Whether this is your first charge or fourth, you should never fight DUI charges yourself. As experienced lawyers, we have the knowledge and expertise necessary to win your case.
Our top priority is protecting your legal rights and your driver’s license. We will work closely with you to examine all the evidence, police reports, etc. We investigate every option when fighting your charges and challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Whether it involves working with the prosecutor to obtain a lesser charge or challenging the case, seeking an outright dismissal of charges.
David Canty has spent his entire career defending people accused of crimes by the government. He knows how heavily the deck is stacked against the defendant in a criminal case and has successfully handled hundreds of cases. David Canty will work diligently to help you achieve your best possible outcome.
To schedule your initial consultation, please fill out this quick online form.
PRACTICE AREAS
HOW CAN WE HELP?
If you or a loved one needs help in one of the following areas, please fill out the form and someone from our office will respond as quickly as possible.
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