If you have made a mistake and have been driving under the influence and you have been arrested for it you will be facing first time DUI charges. Gone are the days when you got off lightly with a small fine. DUI is a serious charge and the courts in Los Angeles and the rest of California come down hard on DUI offenders, even if it is the first time in your life that you have been in trouble with the law.
The severity of the penalties for a first time DUI will have a lot to do with the facts in your case. The level of your blood alcohol at the time of arrest is one of the biggest factors that judges look at when imposing first time DUI penalties. Your sentencing judge will also look at the mitigating factors surrounding the arrest. If you caused an accident then you are looking at severe penalties and maybe even a prison term. It is these surrounding factors though that can help you during your defense and you need to hire a lawyer who specializes in DUI and can help reduce the penalties imposed against you.
First time DUI offenders face the suspension of their drivers license as well as a hefty fine and other penalties, and it is unwise to think that you’ll ‘just get off’ because it’s your first time. DUI charges are criminal charges and the state of California takes this offense seriously. You need to take it seriously by calling a specialist attorney who is experienced in the defense of first time DUI offenders. The laws surrounding DUI are complex and need more than a layman’s understanding to be able to make them work in your favor. Calling in a lawyer is not an admission of guilt; it is a savvy way of saving yourself time, money and a whole lot of anguish when facing a first time DUI charge.
