Every DUI Should Be Taken Seriously And Fought Vigorously
Many people wrongly assume that a driving under the influence (DUI) charge is nothing more than a charge for a simple traffic violation, but that could not be further from the truth. DUI is a serious criminal charge that you must fight with the same determination as you would with any other charge because the potential punishments that you can receive even for a first offense are significant. That is why it is essential that you speak with an experienced criminal law attorney who can help you avoid these repercussions by seeking to plead down your charges or challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
At Van Breemen Law, you can speak with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor. Attorney Doug Van Breemen knows how to negotiate with the prosecution to try and avoid the worst consequences and help you defend your rights and freedoms.
Even A First-Offense DUI Can Carry Serious Penalties
Even if you have never had a run-in with the law and you are charged with a DUI for the first time, you can still be facing severe restrictions on your rights and steep fines. For your first offense, you are going to be facing a mandatory suspension of your license for at least six months, fines of up to $1,000, three to nine months of required driving safety education, the potential confiscation of your car and the instillation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. These penalties increase significantly with each subsequent offense, rising from penalties for a simple misdemeanor to those for a severe felony on your second conviction. Some local counties even impose up to six months of jail time for first offenses.
Apart from the direct consequences, you will also face other costs that you may not have considered. You may struggle to keep a job with the new restrictions on your driving. You may also suffer reputational damage when people discover what happened. Some employers will check for DUI convictions on background checks, and some government benefits or housing options may no longer be available. All of this is why you cannot disregard a DUI as just another traffic violation.
You Cannot Take A Chance On Your DUI
Going it alone is simply never a good option when you are facing a DUI charge. The risks of significant harm to your life and livelihood are simply too great. That is why you need to work with an attorney like Doug. He can help you fight to reduce the charges or get them dismissed so that you can avoid a conviction and the associated harms that come from that. If you are ready to fight the charges, call Van Breemen Law at 916-571-9995 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Doug. You can also send him a message online with information about your situation.