I almost got caught drunk driving last week here in California and when I told my friends about it, one of them told me to add SR22 in my car insurance. There are many hat I can’t understand just like what is SR22? Why do I have to include it in my car insurance and how does it work?
Cole
San Diego, CA
Many people have been wondering why someone who usually goes home under the influence of alcohol or drunk should need a SR22. SR22 is a document given out by your Insurance Company in which you are assured that the California Department of Motor Vehicles has given you the required minimum liability coverage.
If a driver has gotten his/her license suspended, the driver is required to get a SR22 Filing to restore the drivers’ license. Drunk driving is not the only reason for your license to be suspended but also unpaid traffic tickets and parking violations. In order for a driver to get an SR22, they should get the minimum liability coverage to all of their cars. You have three years for SR22 Filing but this depends on how harsh your situation is. With regards to your driver’s license, you have to call Department of Motor Vehicle to know when it is going to be restored and how much would it cost you. The Car Insurance Company will be able to get you how much would your SR22 and your car insurance upon receiving the report on your driving record. And after calculating and agreeing how much you will have to pay for your SR22 Filing.
Will the judge be upset with me if I hire a DWI lawyer and fight the DWI charges instead of pleading guilty?
Ray
San Diego CA
Thank you for asking Ray.
The California constitution prohibits punishing you for asserting your right to a trial. Despite the constitution, small number of judges do threaten more harsh penalties later for not pleading guilty early. This tactic often works with less experienced lawyers. Other lawyers can call the judge’s bluff, outsmart him or her, or arrange for a different judge to handle the DWI case.
Those judges handling misdemeanors are extremely puffed up with their own importance. The meanest of these judges are often those that have been stuck forever handling traffic tickets and misdemeanors, because their colleagues recognize their intellectual limitations. In addition to that a huge ego with incompetence, and you have a person who replaces hard knowledge with bluster and intimidation. A best lawyer you can get in California is armed with a solid background in the law, and a willingness to challenge this type of judge can often prevail over even the worst of them. After all, isn’t that what you hire the best California DWI lawyer for?