Ontario DUI Attorney
If you were arrested and charged with a DUI, you may be thinking of just pleading guilty and getting it over with. But did you stop to think of the costs and consequences? Call an Ontario DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 now because you have so much to lose.
Costs of a DUI
A DUI can cost you much more than most misdemeanor offenses:
- Fines and costs. Though a first offense is modest and may be no more than $390, you will have to pay for a DUI school, license reinstatement fees, funds to get your car out of impoundment in some cases and an ignition interlock system if ordered.
- You will have to obtain SR-1 insurance, a very expensive policy. Your premiums will cost you thousands of dollars more per year than what you currently pay.
- First-offenders spend 2 days in jail. If a multiple offender or aggravating circumstances exist, you will spend up to one year and more if the charge is a felony.
- Loss of your driver’s license. You only have 10 days since your arrest to request a DMV hearing or your license will be suspended immediately. Call an Ontario DUI attorney to challenge your suspension.
Don’t hesitate to get the quality representation your case needs from an Ontario DUI attorney.
Stages of a DUI
- The DMV hearing. You have only 10 days to request a hearing or your license will be immediately suspended. Your Ontario DUI attorney can challenge probable cause in stopping, detaining and arresting you and whether your BAC results were 0.08%.
- This is scheduled soon after your arrest so you need an Ontario DUI attorney to plead you not guilty and continue investigating your case.
- Trial preparation. Your Ontario DUI attorney can bring motions to contest probable cause, suppress evidence and others. A conference is also held with the prosecutor where your Ontario DUI attorney will try to negotiate a plea arrangement.
- If no plea agreement is reached, your Ontario DUI attorney is fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Your Ontario DUI lawyer will analyze your case to see if rights violations, errors in administering your chemical test and inconsistencies in testimony are present. Let an Ontario DUI lawyer handle your case now.
DUI Penalties
DUI sentences vary based on prior DUI convictions or if aggravating circumstances were present that your Ontario DUI lawyer will advise you on. Otherwise, these penalties typically are imposed:
First DUI or DWI
The usual penalties for a first DUI or DWI are:
- 48 hours in jail and up to 6-months; 3-years of probation
- Suspension of license. Loss of driving privileges for 4 to 10-months though you may be eligible for a restricted license; if BAC testing was refused, the suspension is one year
- Fines: $390 with costs over $1,800
- DUI classes: 3-months
- Insurance and installation: Secure SR-1 insurance and possibly install an interlock ignition system
Second DUI or DWI
Penalties for a second DUI or DWI within 10 years of the first include:
- Jai 96 hours and up to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
- Suspension of license. 2 year suspension with eligibility for restricted license unless testing was refused.
- Fines: $390 to $1000 but over $10,000 in costs
- DUI Classe 18 to 30-months
- 5. Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and Interlock ignition system
Third DUI or DWI
Conviction of a third DUI or DWI in 10 years may include:
- Jail. 120 days to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation
- Suspension of license. 3 years with restricted license after 12-months
- Fines: $390 to $1000 and other costs up to $15,000
- DUI classes. 30-months
- Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and interlock system
Fourth DUI or DWI
A fourth DWI or DWI could be negotiated to a misdemeanor. If a felony, you face:
- Jail. 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and formal probation for up to 5 years
- Suspension of license: 4 years
- Fines: Up to $5000 with associated costs of up to $18,000
- Habitual traffic offender status. 3 years
- Mandatory DUI classes. 30-months
- Installation and insurance. SR-1 insurance and interlock system
Whether a felony or not, you need a Ontario DUI lawyer to mount a vigorous defense.
Commercial DUI or DWI
Commercial drivers can be convicted of a commercial DUI or DWI if their BAC is 0.04%. This makes retaining a Ontario DUI lawyer all the more urgent.
Penalties include:
- Jail. Same as for a motorist with a Class C license for first or multiple DUI or DWI offenses
- Driver’s license suspension.
- Loss of commercial driver’s license for one year, regardless of the vehicle you were driving
- Life-time suspension for a second conviction
- Your Class C license is also affected
- Fines. From $390 to $1000
- DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders
- Insurance and installation. Possible securing of SR-1 insurance and installation of an interlock system
Call an Ontario DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a DUI, call a Ontario DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.