Free DUI Lawyer In California

Reader’s Question:

I’m worried about my auto insurance after my DUI conviction here in Alameda, California. What do I need to know about my auto insurance or what do I have to do now after my DUI conviction?

Adrian

Alameda, CA

You may be like most individuals who simply could not afford not to be driving even after a drunk driving or DUI conviction. Most of us need to maintain their transportation options for us to make a living. We all commit mistakes but the law makes sure that you would certainly pay for the privilege to get back out on the highways. Although there are a lot of auto insurance providers that would offer you coverage after your DUI conviction in Alameda, California, it would be important to do your research.

You would be ordered to get an SR22 proof of insurance for you to reinstate your driver’s license. The auto insurance provider you choose would file an SR22 form on your behalf to release the suspension order placed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on your license. The auto insurance provider could tell you the steps that need to be taken to make sure that you’ll have the SR22 promptly. You can check what is on your driving record because the auto insurance provider would confirm the information you would give them so make sure that it is accurate.

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was convicted for DUI here in Camarillo, California a year ago and he had to file for an SR22. What is this so-called SR22 and what does this cover? Does filing an SR22 have any effect on financing a new car?

Frankie

Camarillo, CA

Your cousin is required to get SR22 because of his DUI conviction in Camarillo, California a year ago. SR22 should be filed by the auto insurance provider and this states that an auto liability insurance is in effect for a certain person. Every state has variety of the SR22 forms and they also have different requirements. The filing of an SR22 insurance should not have any direct effect in obtaining financing on a new car. Financing is not related to the requirement of financial responsibility laws of a state.

Normally, an SR22 would have an extra $15 to $25 filing fee. Your cousin would have to purchase coverage levels that mandated by the financial responsibility laws of California. He could see an increase cost over what he is used to be paying. The reason behind that is because he is purchasing additional coverage than what he previously had.

Reader’s Question:

I’m afraid I’ll lose my license after being charged with DUI here in Downey. How can I avoid losing my license and driving privileges after getting a DUI?

Darren

Downey, CA

A DUI charge in Downey, California would have serious consequences and the penalties if convicted often include losing your driver’s license. The state of California would take away your license on the spot after failing the blood alcohol test during a DUI stop or refusing to submit to it. Whatever the situation is in your DUI case, you will need to find good legal representation. A DUI defense lawyer would the law and your rights.

You have to decide what and your DUI lawyer would argue regarding your need to have your license. Depending on the number of prior DUI convictions, a limited or restricted driver’s permit could be issued. This would allow you to drive to and from work, and sometimes to appointments that are absolutely necessary. You would have to confer with your DUI lawyer as to your best approach. You can also ask the lawyer how you could minimize the effect of a DUI conviction so that your future finances and employment will be affected as little as possible. The DUI lawyer can also give you tips on how to deal with your auto insurance after being charged with DUI and especially if you get convicted.

Reader’s Question:

Is pleading guilty to my DUI charge here in Bellflower, California a good option for me? If so, how would I handle a DUI with a guilty plea?

Charlie

Bellflower, CA

Pleading guilty to your DUI charge in Bellflower, California may be a wise choice if you can get the judge to understand that you truly want to work on never getting another DUI charge. Now, if you are already decided to plead guilty, you have to show up in court during your arraignment. When your name is called at the arraignment, you have to tell the prosecutor or judge that you want to plead guilty to your DUI. You also might want to meet with the prosecutor before your arraignment to plead guilty to your DUI charge. This would allow you to privately discuss your options with the prosecutor or assistant prosecutor. By doing this, you can negotiate down your charge in exchange for the guilty plea.

The judge or prosecutor would give you important information about what would be expected of you next, so listen. You would likely be sentenced to a choice of a DUI class or jail time if your DUI is a misdemeanor charge. You have to tell the judge right then and there which one you would choose. In the course of deciding on pleading guilty to your DUI charge, you may also want to get an affordable yet car reliable insurance for you after your DUI so get a free quote now from this website.

Reader’s Question:

How many years does a wet reckless remain on your driving record for in  California? Is it the same with DUI?

Amy

Arcadia, CA

Under the new California legislation law, any DUI violation under CA Vehicle Code will report for ten years. There are some other non-DUI violations such as wet reckless that will report to courts and police for ten years and may count against you for the purpose of determining increased penalties for repeat violators, but will continue to appear on a public driving record for only seven years.

So the new California law does effect your wet reckless violation in Arcadia CA but it appears a wet reckless is better for you than a DUI offense in the sense that it will only appear to your public driving record (the one employers and insurance carriers see) for seven years though the state of CA can continue to count it against you for ten years.

You may contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for more information with regards to your driving record and how the wet reckless violation affects it.

Reader’s Question:

If my drivers license was suspended for two DUIs in the state of Michigan can I obtain a drivers license in LA California?

Dan

Los Angeles, CA

although the state of Michigan is not a member of the DLC your suspended license will be listed in the National Driver Register (NDR) which Los Angeles California will verify before allowing you to get a license in CA.

The Drivers License Compact (DLC) is a reciprocal agreement that many states within the US are members of and requires the member states to forward the licensing state of a driver when he or she is convicted of a certain traffic violation. The licensing state then can know if the violation is put on the individual’s driving record, if points are applied, etc. The National Drivers Register is used by all US states, so both California and Michigan do have access to it.

When applying for a driver’s license in Los Angeles California the California DMV will verify the NDR. This database will then notify the Department of Motor Vehicle to any action against your driver’s license in other state(s). Once they aware that your drivers license is revoked in MI due to the two DUIs you will be unable to receive a CA driver’s license. To obtain a license in California you will first need to take care of your suspension or revocation in Michigan. If you are able to have your drivers license reinstated in MI then CA should be able to see this on your NDR listing and grant you a drivers license.

Reader’s Question:

I got two DUI conviction this year and last year. What will happen if I get pulled over by a law enforcement officer and I have no proof that I am driving for work in Alameda?? I live in Alameda CA.

Richard

Alameda, CA

In California a restricted license granter after a 2nd DUI conviction has guidelines that you need to abide. The California law states that the restriction of the driving privilege shall be limited to the hours needed for

• driving to and from the place of employment,
• driving during the course of employment, and
• driving to and from activities required in the driving-under-the-influence program.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that they may suspend or revoke the drivers license,once they receive satisfactory proof of any conviction of the restrictions of a driver’s license .

Therefore if you get caught driving outside your restrictions your driving privileges may be taken away again. The CA DMV should be able to give you information if there will be additional fines and penalties given to you by the judge or courts if you are stopped in Alameda and cannot prove you are driving within your restrictions.

Reader’s Question:

I have a friend who was charged for DUI here in Chino Hills, California and I guess his number one problem is getting a DUI lawyer because he thinks he can’t afford it. What can a lawyer do for him and how much will it cost him to get a DUI lawyer?

Larissa

Chino Hills, CA

A DUI lawyer who is dedicated to aggressively representing his client in court will sure to undertake a great deal of work well before the actual court date. Your friend can ask his potential DUI lawyer to describe in detail what the DUI lawyer will do for him for his DUI case in Chino Hills, California. If the DUI lawyer could not rattle off a mind-numbing list of tasks off the top of his/her head, he/she is probably not doing those things. But let me tell you now that a good DUI lawyer would definitely look at every aspect of your friend’s DUI case from the stop, detention and arrest, and look at the possible flaws that your friend can use on his defense.

Each law firm actually sets their own fees and they vary widely based on several factors, which are both relevant and irrelevant. Some lawyers do charge as little as $250 but others charge as much as $10,000 for first DUI offense. But your friend can find a DUI lawyer who charges $4,200 for first offense for a case with a low blood alcohol content. Don’t be lured to a big law firm that will charge your friend an initial consultation fee because he can definitely find one who will have the initial consultation for free.

Reader’s Question:

I’m afraid I may just be caught drunk driving here in West Covina, California because I don’t have anyone to drive me home everytime I go out to have some drink. Anyways, my question is, is it true that I can refuse to take the handheld breath test if I am stopped for DUI?

Rebecca

West Covina, CA

Before I go and answer your question, let me just tell you that you can definitely avoid to be caught drunk driving in West Covina, California. The safest way to do that is not to drink at all, but if you really can’t avoid it and you don’t have anyone to drive you home, you can take a cab to get home safe and sound and avoiding a criminal charge. Now, to answer your question, yes you can refuse the handheld breath test if you are stopped for DUI. Unless you are under 21 years old, submission to the Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) is not legally required.

A lot of police agencies are now using the roadside hand held breath-testing device, PAS or more recently, Evidential Portable Alcohol System (EPAS) as an additional field sobriety test (FST). These devices are supposed to give a very rough indication of the driver’s blood alcohol concentration. The PAS units are very unreliable and primitive and are supposed to be used only to aid the officer in making a decision after he has given the other FST’s. But unfortunately, a lot of judges are permitting the results into evidence at DUI trial.

Reader’s Question:

I’m only 14 years old and I really don’t understand the legalities of my brother’s DUI case here in San Diego, California. He told me that he was given a pink paper or something, what is this?

Elbert

San Diego, CA

During your brother’s DUI arrest in  California, the police officer has taken away his California driver’s license and gave him a pink form that is entitled “Suspension Order and Temporary License.” This is a form that would serve as your brother’s temporary license and notice that this temporary license would automatically go into suspension in 30 days unless a hearing on the driver’s license is requested with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Your brother would have 10 calendar days to contact the DMV and request for a hearing. Once the hearing is requested, the driver’s license suspension would automatically be postponed pending the outcome of the DMV hearing. Your brother could be able to choose an in-person DMV hearing or a phone hearing. It would always be better that they request a live hearing. This DMV hearing would be very important on your brother’s DUI case because it would give them a preview of his DUI trial.