Los Angeles DUI Attorneys

Los Angeles DUI FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need a lawyer to defend my DUI charges?
A defense lawyer is of the utmost importance if you are facing DUI charges, even for a first time offense. A first driving under the influence conviction may result in jail time, fines and license suspension. A skilled Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer can provide you with the representation to avoid these penalties.

What is a breathalyzer test?
This is a chemical test which involves a machine called a breathalyzer. You blow into the machine and it calculates your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based off the amount of alcohol in your breath. These machines are known to be unreliable, and thus a Los Angeles DUI attorney may be able to contest your breathalyzer test results even when they are above the legal limit.

Do I have to agree to take field sobriety tests?
No. Field sobriety tests, such as the One Leg Stand or Walk and Turn, are entirely voluntary. At Gold & Witham, we recommend that you politely refuse these tests, as we do not consider them to be valid determinations of whether you are intoxicated and may give false results.

Do I have to agree to a blood test or breath test?
You may refuse a blood or breath test, but if you do, your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of 1 year. By having a California driver’s license, you are deemed to have consented to chemical testing to determine your blood alcohol level if you are suspected of a Los Angeles DUI.

If I’m convicted, how long will my license suspension last?
For a first DUI offense, your driver’s license may be suspended for a minimum of 120 days. For a second offense, the suspension will last 2 years, for a third offense it will last 3 years, and for a fourth, it may last for four years or may be permanent.

Will I go to jail?
Most DUI charges in Los Angeles County have a mandatory minimum jail sentence. For a first offense, this is 48 hours. By working with an aggressive and experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer, however, you can avoid jail time. Your lawyer can seek community service instead, seek to have your charges lessened or have them dropped altogether.

Contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney at Gold & Witham today!