A while back, DUI charges were not taken as seriously as they are today. In the past, all you needed to do was pay a fine, promise not to repeat the crime. It was as simple as that. Unfortunately, those times are gone. Today, a DUI case could either be tried as a misdemeanor or even a felony.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s office makes about 5,100 DUI arrests each year. If you or someone you know is being charged with DUI, a Ventura DUI lawyer is their best chance of either getting acquitted or face a lesser charge.
Background On Ventura DUI Law
Like most other states, Ventura laws prohibit driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Recent legislation has additionally lowered the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) from 0.10 to 0.08.
In addition to laws regulating auto vehicular use, it features laws that make it illegal to ride bikes and scooters while being intoxicated and boating under the influence.
Unlike in the past, DUI cases were judged by the BAC. Recently, all states- including California- have introduced the per se (Latin for “by itself”) drunk driving laws.
Penalties In Ventura
The penalties for a DUI case depend on the circumstances revolving around the case. Despite this, the law, however, provides ranges within which penalties are allowed. Similarly, past cases heavily weigh on the final decision.
It’s important to note that a DUI case in Ventura- California, will remain on your record for up to ten years. 1st offenders face up to a 6-month jail term, while 2nd and 3rd offenders get 96 hours to 1 year and 120 days to a 1-year jail term, respectively
What To Do If You’ve Been Arrested
If the police have arrested you, don’t worry. They still need time to build a case against you. So there is no cause for alarm. You need to be aware of your rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Why Hire A DUI Attorney?
A Ventura DUI lawyer is the only thing standing between you and harsh punishment, including jail time. You might be thinking that since you scored above the legal BAC limit (0.08), the court might be lenient; you are sadly mistaken.
A reputable DUI attorney can help prevent the worst-case scenario from happening. A skilled lawyer will look into your case for potential loopholes. This includes looking into:
- The Breathalyzer test results and how it was administered
- Errors in the arresting procedure
- The initial traffic stops
- The equipment testing and calibration
- Chemical test administration
- The field sobriety test administration
How To Select The Right DUI Lawyer
What differentiates a good attorney from a great attorney? The answer is experience. How long have they been a DUI attorney? How many cases have they handled? How many have led to acquittals? What is their success rate?
All these are crucial, valid questions you need to ask them before enlisting their expertise. So, make sure that you ask them. Your legal representative needs to answer them to your satisfaction.
The point here is not to nag or bother them. You need to know that the person about to defend you is qualified enough. Picking the right DUI attorney could lead to your case being thrown out and avoid going to jail.
A Ventura DUI lawyer will offer you the best legal advice possible. Don’t leave your legal matters to chance if you are charged with DUI OR DWI or other drunk-driving related charges. Speaking with a certified attorney will help protect your rights and determine if there is an option of lodging a defense.
Lastly, since the legal limit of the Blood Alcohol Content is .08, if you scored anything higher than that, chances of you getting acquitted are slim. Despite this, you should still get into contact with a reputable law firm and see what they have to say.
