DUI Penalties

TheDenverChannel.com reports that on May 7, 2013, Colorado Rockies baseball star Todd Helton pleaded guilty to charges related to his February 2013 DUI arrest.
Pursuant to a plea bargain, Helton pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while ability impaired. Helton was sentenced to one year probation, a $400 fine, $1224 in other fees and 24 hours of community service.

Helton’s arrest took place on February 6, 2013, after a witness reported a possible DUI to the authorities, telling them that Helton had hit a curb while driving. Upon confronting Helton, an arresting officer said that he could smell a strong alcoholic odor coming from Helton’s person and that Helton was unsteady on his feet. Helton was arrested and agreed to a breathalyzer test. Helton had a blood alcohol level of 0.12 while the legal limit is 0.08. During the booking process, Helton stated that he had drunk 2 igloo cups of red wine.

California Prosecution of DUI

To convict Helton in California of a DUI under similar circumstances, the prosecutor would have to prove that when he drove a vehicle, either of the following situations applied:

• He was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and/or drug to the extent that his mental or physical abilities were so impaired that he no longer was able to drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, under similar circumstances; OR

• His blood alcohol level (BAC) was 0.08 percent or more

If the evidence that Helton’s BAC was 0.12 were admissible, Helton could be convicted of a DUI in California under CVC 23152(b). Similarly, if Helton’s statements about drinking 2 cups of wine, his unsteady walking reported by the officer, and the statement made by the lay witness alleging that Helton had hit a curb were all admissible as evidence, Helton could also be convicted under CVC 23152(a) in California.

Sentencing and Punishment for DUI

The punishment for a DUI conviction in California is harsh. A conviction for a first-time DUI under CVC 23152 would subject Helton to imprisonment in county jail for up to 6 months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both fine and imprisonment. In reality, the total fine for a DUI conviction will come close to $2,000 with all of the additional penalty assessments imposed by the court.

Upon being convicted under CVC 23152, the DMV would suspend Helton’s driver’s license for 6 months under CVC 13352. Helton could also face probation under CVC 23600 if he were convicted of a DUI in California. If Helton were placed on probation, his probation would last three to five year and he would have to comply with certain conditions, including the following:

• Do not commit any crimes
• Pay all restitution and other required fees
• Do not drive a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system; AND
• You must enroll and successfully complete a driving-under-the-influence program

California DUI Defense Attorney

If you face DUI charges in California, you have too much at stake to not contact the experienced law firm of Wallin & Klarich. The DUI defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have a proven record of successfully defending our clients facing DUI charges for over 30 years.

Once you retain us, we will immediately conduct extensive discovery on your case. We will review police reports carefully for any material that could be helpful to your case.
We will tirelessly attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor to have your charges dismissed or reduced; similar to how Helton’s charges were reduced.

If you face DUI charges in California, it is important that you immediately contact Wallin & Klarich to aggressively fight for your rights. Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience successfully defending our clients facing DUI charges. We have the skill and experience to help you win your case. Our offices are located in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina, Victorville, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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NBC Sports reports that Cleveland Browns defensive end Armonty Bryant was charged in Oklahoma with misdemeanor DUI on Tuesday May 7, 2013. Bryant was arrested on May 3, 2013. According to the police report, he had a blood alcohol content of 0.098. Bryant must pay $1,136 in fines and court costs. His sentence includes mandatory listening to a victim’s impact panel on the dangers of drunk driving.

Prosecution of DUI

Being charged with a DUI is not a joke; it is a very serious matter. If Bryant was charged in California under similar circumstances, in order to convict him the prosecution would have to prove that when he drove a vehicle, either of the following situations applied:

• He was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and/or drug to the extent that his mental or physical abilities were so impaired that he no longer was able to drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, under similar circumstances.

• His blood alcohol level was 0.08 percent or more.

Punishment for DUI if Convicted

Punishment for a DUI in California is among the most severe in the nation. If Bryant was convicted for a first-time DUI under CVC 23152, he could be punished by imprisonment in county jail for up to 6 months, and fined up to $1,000. Upon being convicted under CVC 23152, the DMV would suspend his driver’s license for a period of 6 months under CVC 13352.

Most people convicted of a California DUI are put on probation. DUI probation allows those convicted of a DUI to avoid incarceration if they meet certain conditions. Under CVC 23600, if Bryant were put on probation, his probation would include the following, among other things:

• A probationary period of three to five years

• A requirement that he not drive a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in his system

• A requirement that if he were to be arrested for a second DUI, he not refuse to submit to a blood, breath or urine test, for the purposes of determining the alcohol content in his system

• A requirement that he enroll and successfully complete a driving-under-the-influence program

California DUI Attorney

If you face DUI charges in California, you should immediately contact the experienced California DUI attorneys from Wallin & Klarich. Wallin & Klarich has successfully defended clients facing DUI charges for over 30 years. Our many years of experience allow us to provide an aggressive DUI defense that oftentimes results in our clients cases being dismissed or reducing the charges.

If you retain us, we will at once review the police report regarding your arrest line by line. We will then get a complete statement from you about the circumstances surrounding your arrest. This careful fact-gathering will allow us to prepare the most effective defense strategy relevant to your specific case to help you avoid jail time.

You don’t have to be a world class athlete like Armonty Bryant to secure a top quality DUI defense. If you face DUI charges in California, contact Wallin & Klarich to fight for your rights. We have the skill and experience to help you win your case. Our offices are located in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina, Victorville, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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Driving under the influence of alcohol in California is a serious offense which leads to a severe punishment. The laws in California are extremely tough on minors found under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving. If you are facing underage DUI charges, you should contact an experienced DUI Defense Attorney right away for help.

Driving under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI)

California practices the ‘zero tolerance’ policy for underage drinking and driving. This means that no one under the age of 21 may be found driving with a measureable amount of alcohol in their system. One of the crucial factors considered in determining a DUI charge is your blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level at the time of arrest. You can be charged with a DUI under three categories, depending on your BAC level.

If your BAC level is found to be:

• Greater than 0.01 percent, you could be charged under section 23136 of California Vehicle Code
• Greater than 0.05 percent, you could be charged under section 23140 of California Vehicle Code
• Greater than 0.08 percent, you could be charged under section 23152 of California Vehicle Code

Punishment for DUI and losing your driving privilege

• If you are convicted of a DUI with a BAC level of more than 0.01 percent and less than 0.05 percent, you will be punished by a one-year suspension of your driver’s license.
• If the BAC ranges from 0.05 percent to less than 0.08 percent, apart from the suspended driver’s license you could be liable for fines as mentioned below:
• A penalty of $100 for your first conviction;
• A penalty of $200 for your second conviction within a period of one year; and
• A penalty of $300 for your third conviction within one year.
• Regardless of your age, if your BAC level is found to be 0.08 percent or more, you could be charged with a misdemeanor (California Vehicle Code section 23152), which could lead to imprisonment in county jail for up to 6 months and a fine of up to $1,000. Your driver’s license will also be suspended for one year.

Recovering your lost ‘driving privilege’

Your driver’s license will be returned to you at the end of your suspension period after you pay a $100 re-issue fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Along with the fee, you will also be required to file a proof of financial responsibility with the DMV before your driver’s license will be returned to you.

California DUI Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI in California, you need an experienced California DUI defense attorney to represent you. The DUI defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have experience successfully defending clients who have been arrested for a DUI for over 30 years. Our attorneys approach each case with the utmost care. We have offices located in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today for a free phone consultation at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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The consequences of a DUI conviction that does not cause injury to another person includes possible jail time, a significant term of probation, loss of driving privileges, fines and fees, and a requirement to complete a DUI program. However, a DUI causing injury charge, where someone other than the driver is injured, can result in more severe consequences.

Prosecution for DUI Causing Injury

In California, you may be charged with a DUI causing injury if someone else is injured in an accident as a result of your driving under the influence. If you injure another person because you were driving under the influence, prosecutors will likely charge you with a DUI causing injury under California Vehicle Code section 23153.
To convict you for a DUI causing injury, the prosecutor must prove that:

• You drove the vehicle
• You were impaired by alcohol or drugs, or both alcohol and drugs, while you were driving the vehicle
• You committed an illegal act or neglected to perform a legal duty while driving the vehicle; AND
• Your act or failure to perform your legal duty caused bodily injury to another person

Sentencing for DUI Causing Injury

The punishment for your first DUI causing injury conviction can include up to one year imprisonment in county jail and a court-imposed fine of up to $1,000. Also, the DMV will suspend your driver’s license for one year.

For your second DUI causing injury conviction within 10 years, you will be sentenced to up to one year in county jail and a court-imposed fine of up to $5,000. You will also have your driver’s license suspended for three years.

If you are convicted for your third DUI causing injury conviction within 10 years, you will be sentenced to up to 4 years in state prison and a court-imposed fine of least $1,015 and up to $5,000. The DMV will also suspend your driver’s license for five years.

If you drive while under the influence and cause death or bodily injury to more than one victim, then you will receive a sentence enhancement of up to one year in state prison for each additional injured victim.

In addition to jail or prison sentences and a court-imposed fine, you will be subject to other penalties. For more information about these penalties, visit our DUI causing injury page or read our blogs regarding the total costs of a DUI.

California DUI Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of a DUI causing injury, then you need to contact the DUI defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich immediately. The DUI defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully helping clients defend DUI causing injury cases for over 30 years. Hiring an experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorney can greatly increase your chances of keeping your freedom. Our offices are located in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will get through this together.

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If you are convicted of driving while under the influence (DUI), and you have two prior DUI convictions on your record within the past 10 years, you will face the punishment of a third DUI conviction. Here are some of the potential consequences you are facing:

Jail Time

Your third DUI conviction within 10 years will result in a jail sentence up to one year in county jail and a mandatory minimum of at least 120 days in jail. You may also be sentenced to up to five years of probation following any jail time you serve. If you violate any of your probation terms while on probation, the court can revoke your probation and sentence you to county jail for up to one year.

Fines and Fees

You also face a fine of between $390 and $1,000 for your third DUI conviction within 10 years. The court will also charge other DUI-related fees, including:

• A penalty assessment
• Mandatory state restitution fine
• Alcohol abuse education fee
• DUI lab/blood alcohol penalty
• Alcohol & drug assessment program fee
• Probation revocation restitution fine
• Court operations fee
• Criminal conviction assessment fee per conviction
• Criminal conviction assessment fee per infraction; AND
• Booking fee

These fees can add up to $2,000.

Loss of Driver’s License

Your third DUI conviction will also lead to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspending your driver’s license for three years. Fortunately, you can obtain a restricted driver’s license that allows you to drive to and from work and to and from any alcohol program 6 months after your suspension period began if you were found to be only under the influence of alcohol for your DUI conviction. If drugs were involved in your DUI conviction, then you may apply for a restricted driver’s license one year after your suspension period began.

If the DMV decides to issue you a restricted driver’s license, you will be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. If you retain a Wallin & Klarich attorney for your DUI case within 10 days of your arrest, we can demand a DMV hearing to potentially avoid the DMV suspending your license.

After your three year suspension period, you may have your driver’s license reinstated by the DMV. To get your license reinstated, you must have completed a DUI treatment program and paid all of your court-assessed fees. You will have to pay a $55 reissue fee and a $100 administrative fee to the DMV to get your driver’s license reinstated.

Other Consequences

With a DUI conviction on your record, your car insurance company may significantly raise the rates of your insurance premium. Your insurance premium rates could increase by as much as $1,000 per year for up to seven years. That would mean an additional cost of $7,000 in addition to the court imposed fines.

In addition, you will be required to enter into a Multiple Offender Drinking Driver Program under California’s SB-38 program. This program is 18 months long and is required for people who have been convicted of DUI on more than one occasion within the past 7 years. You must complete this program before the DMV will re-issue your driver’s license.

A DUI conviction can also have negative effects on your professional life. You will be required to attend court hearings for your DUI case, which will mean that you must take time off from work. However, if you hire a Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney, we can appear in court hearings on your behalf (with the court’s permission), so you do not have to appear in court and lose your income and job.

San Bernardino DUI Defense Attorney

The experienced San Bernardino DUI Defense Attorneys from Wallin & Klarich can help you to hopefully avoid a high percentage of these costs, as well as possible jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license. We have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the court process and make sure you get the best possible outcome in your case

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in San Bernardino, you need an experienced DUI Defense Attorney to represent you. The DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience successfully defending DUI cases. We have the knowledge and experience to help assist you in your DUI case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us now at 877-4-NO-JAIL or 877-466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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Driving while under the influence (DUI) causing injury is a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23153. A DUI causing injury results in more severe penalties than a DUI charge under California Vehicle Code section 23152. The punishments are even more harsh for a second DUI causing injury in Ventura.

Due to the seriousness of a second DUI causing injury charge in Ventura, you need to call a Ventura Wallin & Klarich attorney as soon as possible. Obtaining legal representation early in your case is the best way to prevent a lengthy jail sentence.

Sentencing and Punishment for DUI Causing Injury

The consequences for a second DUI causing injury are very serious. As a “wobbler” offense, a DUI causing injury in Ventura can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the facts of your case and prior criminal history. The penalties for a second DUI causing injury offense are as follows:

• Misdemeanor DUI causing injury with a prior DUI conviction is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $5,000 fine. In addition, your driving privileges will be suspended for three years.
• Felony DUI causing injury with a prior DUI conviction is punishable by up to 3 years in county jail

Defenses for a Second DUI Causing Injury in Ventura

Your skilled Ventura DUI causing injury lawyers from Wallin & Klarich can raise a number of defenses on your behalf, including:

• You Were Not Driving The Vehicle
• You Were Not Impaired
• Your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Was Under 0.08%; AND
• You Did Not Cause Injury To Another Person

By using these defenses, your Ventura Wallin & Klarich attorney may be able to get your case dismissed. Even in the most serious cases of DUI causing injury, your Wallin & Klarich attorney may be able to obtain a reduced sentence. Your Wallin & Klarich attorney can argue that your DUI causing injury charge should be reduced to a misdemeanor DUI conviction or another lesser crime.

DUI Causing Injury Defense Attorney

The Ventura DUI attorneys of Wallin & Klarich have successfully defended DUI causing injury cases for over 30 years. If you or someone you know has been accused of this offense, you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who will carefully review the facts of your case and the law to give you the best representation possible. Our Ventura DUI attorneys will defend your rights through every stage of the criminal process and contribute crucial legal advice that may help you win your case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 or submit our intake form online. We will get through this together.

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A second DUI conviction occurs when your present DUI conviction is within 10 years of a prior DUI conviction. A second-time DUI conviction in Riverside  is punished more severely than a first DUI conviction. Here is a list of potential consequences you are facing:

Jail Time

For your second DUI offense within 10 years, you could be facing up to one year imprisonment in county jail. You may also be sentenced to up to five years of probation following any jail time you serve. If you violate any of your probation terms while on probation, the court can revoke your probation and sentence you to county jail for up to one year.

Fines and Fees

You also face a fine of between $390 and $1,000 for your second DUI conviction within 10 years. The court will also charge other DUI-related fees, including:

• A penalty assessment
• Mandatory state restitution fine
• Alcohol abuse education fee
• DUI lab/blood alcohol penalty
• Alcohol & drug assessment program fee
• Probation revocation restitution fine
• Court operations fee
• Criminal conviction assessment fee per conviction
• Criminal conviction assessment fee per infraction; AND
• Booking fee

These fees can add up to $2,000.

Loss of Driver’s License

Your second DUI conviction will also lead to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspending your driver’s license for up to two years. You may be able to apply for a restricted driver’s license, which only allows you to drive to and from work and to and from any alcohol program. If you retain a Wallin & Klarich attorney for your DUI case within 10 days of your arrest, we can demand a DMV hearing to potentially avoid the DMV suspending your license.

After your suspension period, you may have your driver’s license reinstated by the DMV. To get your license reinstated, you must go to the DMV and show that you have completed a DUI treatment program and paid all of your court-assessed fees. Then, you must pay a $55 reissue fee and a $100 administrative fee to the DMV to get your license reinstated.

Other Consequences

If you have a DUI conviction on your record, your car insurance company may cancel or significantly increase your insurance premiums. Your insurance premium rates could increase by as much as $1,000 per year for seven years, totaling $7,000.

California’s SB-38 program requires people who have been convicted of DUI on more than one occasion within a seven year period to enter into an 18-month treatment and education program. Even if the court does not order you to go through this program, you must complete it before the DMV will re-issue your driver’s license.

You will also have to take time off from work to attend court hearings for your DUI case. You will lose the income you would have received had you been at work during your court hearings. A DUI conviction can also cause you to lose your job or make it difficult for you to find a job. However, if you hire a Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney, we can appear in court for you (with the court’s permission) at the court hearings, so you do not have to appear in court and lose your income and protect your job.

Riverside DUI Defense Attorney

The experienced Riverside DUI Defense Attorneys from Wallin & Klarich can help you to hopefully avoid a high percentage of these costs, as well as possible jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license. We know what you and your family are going through. You do not have to fight your DUI case alone.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in Riverside, you need an experienced DUI Defense Attorney to represent you. The DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience successfully defending DUI cases. We have the knowledge and experience to help assist you in your DUI case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us now at 877-4-NO-JAIL or 877-466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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A violation of California Vehicle Code section 23153 occurs when a driver causes injury to another while driving under the influence. If you are charged with DUI causing injury, you may face jail time, fines, and a loss of your driving privilege.

If you have been charged with a DUI causing injury in Los Angeles, you need to call a Los Angeles Wallin & Klarich Attorney immediately. Hiring a Los Angeles Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney early in your case is the most effective way to protect you from a lengthy jail sentence.

Prosecuting a DUI Causing Injury Charge

To convict you of a DUI causing injury in Los Angeles, the prosecution must prove that:

1. You were driving the vehicle
2. You were under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug while driving
3. You committed an illegal act or neglected to perform a legal duty; AND
4. Another person was injured as a result of your actions

What does “driving under the influence” mean?

“Driving under the influence” means that the driver’s mental or physical abilities are so impaired that he or she is no longer able to drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, as a result of drinking an alcoholic beverage, taking a drug, or a combination of both.

In California, it is illegal for you to drive a vehicle and commit an illegal act or neglect to perform a legal duty with blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08%. If your BAC was 0.08% or greater at the time of a chemical test performed within three hours of your driving, then it is presumed that you had a BAC over the legal limit at the time you were driving.

Sentencing for DUI Causing Injury in Los Angeles

The consequences for a DUI causing injury in Los Angeles can be severe. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could face either misdemeanor or felony charges. A misdemeanor conviction will result in imprisonment in county jail for up to one year. A felony conviction will result in imprisonment in county jail for up to three years.

If you caused bodily injury or death to more than one victim, you may receive an additional one year sentence for each additional victim. The court may impose up to three one year enhancements for your DUI causing injury conviction.

A conviction for DUI causing injury will also be punished by a fine of between $390 and $1,000. In reality, the total court fines and fees will cost you about $2,000. Furthermore, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year.

DUI Causing Injury Defense Attorney in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have successfully defended DUI causing injury cases for over 30 years. Our Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorneys will help you defend your rights through every stage of the criminal process. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. We will fight for your freedom and make sure that you receive the best possible outcome in your case.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will get through this together.

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Under California Penal Code section 187, Watson Murder occurs when someone dies as a result of your driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In cases of Watson Murder, the prosecution can charge you with second-degree murder under California Penal Code section 187.

If you or someone you know is facing prosecution in Ventura for second-degree murder under the Watson Murder rule, you need to contact a Ventura Wallin & Klarich Watson Murder Defense Attorney immediately. The sentencing and punishment for a Watson Murder in Ventura can be severe but seeking legal representation early on in your case can ensure you the best possible result.

Watson Murder Prosecution

To charge you for second-degree murder under the Watson Murder rule, the prosecutor must prove the following:

1. You committed an act that caused the death of another person
2. When you acted, you had a state of mind called malice aforethought; AND
3. You killed without lawful justification

Causation

To convict you for Watson Murder, the prosecution must establish causation. Your act does not need to be the direct cause of death. As long as your act is a substantial factor in causing the death, the causation requirement is met and you could be convicted of second degree-murder under the Watson Murder rule.

Malice aforethought

For a Watson Murder conviction, the prosecution must also show you had the required mental state that must be formed before the act that causes death is committed. There are two kinds of malice aforethought, express malice and implied malice. For a Watson Murder charge, the prosecution typically attempts to demonstrate that you exhibited implied malice by proving the following:

1. You intentionally committed an act
2. The natural and probable consequences of the act were dangerous to human life
3. At the time you acted, you knew this act was dangerous to human life; AND
4. You deliberately acted with conscious disregard for human life

Intentional act

To be successful in a Watson Murder prosecution against you, the District Attorney must show that you intentionally committed an act that would likely result in harm to another human being. This requirement is usually met if you voluntarily drive a vehicle while intoxicated. The reasoning is that driving while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol poses a substantial risk of harm to both passengers in your own vehicle as well as other drivers sharing the same road.

However, the prosecution will want to establish that you had specific prior knowledge that driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs was dangerous to human life. The way that this is normally accomplished is to show the jury that you were convicted of a prior DUI and at the time of your prior DUI conviction you signed a document acknowledging that you knew that driving under the influence was dangerous to human life.

Watson Murder Defense Attorney in Ventura

If you are facing Watson Murder charges in Ventura, you need to contact an experienced Ventura Watson Murder Defense Attorney who is dedicated to giving you the best representation possible. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks, Wallin & Klarich has successfully represented clients facing prosecution for second-degree Watson Murder for over 30 years. Drawing from extensive experience, our talented Watson Murder Defense Attorney will carefully review your case and develop an effective defense strategy for your case. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.

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If you have been charged with DUI causing injury in Riverside (California Vehicle Code section 23153), you need to contact a Riverside Wallin & Klarich attorney right away because a DUI causing injury conviction carries much more severe punishments and penalties than a traditional DUI conviction (under California Vehicle Code section 23152). Hiring a Riverside Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney early on in your case is the most effective way to protect yourself from criminal liability.

Prosecuting a DUI Causing Injury Charge

To convict you of a DUI causing injury charge in Riverside, the prosecution must prove that:

1. You were driving under the influence
2. You committed an illegal act or neglected to perform a legal duty; AND
3. Another person was injured as a result of your illegal act or failure to perform your legal duty

Punishment for DUI Causing Injury in Riverside

The consequences for a DUI causing injury conviction can be harsh. The offense is considered a “wobbler.” This means it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the facts of your case and your prior criminal history.

Reduced Sentencing

Due to the significant discretion the prosecutor holds, you need to hire a Riverside DUI Defense Attorney at the earliest possible stage of your case since your attorney would know best how to influence the prosecutor’s decision-making process. Your experienced Riverside Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to achieve the best possible result in your case.

First, a skilled Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney will attempt to persuade the prosecutor to drop the charges completely. If the prosecutor is unwilling to drop the charges, the attorney may successfully negotiate a reduction in the charge, from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Another possible reduction would be to a misdemeanor DUI conviction under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 that does not carry punishments as severe as a DUI causing injury conviction. Your Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney can also request a sentence of probation with no jail time.

Probation Terms

If the court grants probation, the terms may include:

1. A period of probation between three and five years
2. A requirement that you shall not drive a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood
3. A requirement that, if arrested for a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, you shall not refuse to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of your blood; AND
4. A requirement that you shall not commit any criminal offense

Be sure to call a Riverside Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney to learn more about the court’s sentencing options.

Riverside DUI Defense Attorney

The Riverside DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have successfully defended DUI causing injury cases for over 30 years. Our Riverside DUI lawyers will defend your rights through every stage of the criminal process and contribute crucial legal advice that may help you win your case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will get through this together.

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