The State of Your Drivers License After a DUI

The State of Your Drivers License After a DUI

One of the main things at stake when you are arrested for driving under the influence is your drivers’ license. And losing your license is no laughing matter. You may use it to get to and from work and may even use it as part of your actual job. If you lose it, there is a possibility of also losing your livelihood, and this can be on top of having to pay court costs, lawyer fees and possibly fines if convicted. Having a good San Diego DUI attorney by your side to defend your case and help you avoid a long license suspension is something you can’t take for granted.

Your license will be confiscated by the officer at the scene if you are charged with a DUI and you have 10 days to then request a license suspension hearing with the California DMV to determine the state of your license. If you request on your own, you may be asked to submit to a phone hearing. However, if you use a DUI attorney in San Diego to request this hearing for you, there is a better chance you will end up with a hearing that is not over the phone, which can have a much better outcome. Having your lawyer with you at the hearing leaves you with a higher chance of getting your license back.

If your license is suspended and this is a first-time DUI offense, you are looking at the possibility of several things:

  • a six-month maximum suspension
  • attendance at DUI education course for three months that have been approved by the state of California
  • an even longer suspension if there was a minor in the car with you at the time of arrest who was under the age of 14
  • also, a longer suspension if you were speeding at more than 20 MPH on the streets or 30 MPH on the highway.

Losing a license for that long can be devastating and also cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. A good defense by an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer can help you lose your license for as short a period as possible.

Losing your license can stay on your record in California for up to 10 years. This can have devastating effects on your life, as can a DUI conviction in general. If you are facing such charges, call a DUI lawyer in San Diego today for an excellent defense.

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