A second DUI offense within ten years of the first offense is usually a misdemeanor with increased penalties.

Some circumstances that may result in a felony DUI include: 

• Having four DUIs in 10 years
• Having a prior felony DUI
• Being involved in a DUI causing injury
• Being DUI with a minor in the car
• Having 0.08% or higher in your blood alcohol content (BAC)
• Driving a commercial vehicle or having a passenger in the car with a BAC of 0.04% or higher

Additional penalties for a second DUI include: 

• License suspension
• Ignition interlock devices
• Up to one year of incarceration
• Up to three years in the state prison

Consult a DUI lawyer for accurate legal advice if you're concerned about a specific DUI situation.

Deciding Whether to Fight the Charges

Any DUI defense starts with the decision of whether to fight the charges filed against you. This is where you need a DUI lawyer in Riverside, who knows how to think like a prosecutor. Electing to contest the charges when a plea bargain has been offered is a decision not to be taken lightly. 

You always have the option of contesting the charges and going to trial. You would do this when:

• The evidence against you is insufficient or flawed
• Your legal rights have been violated
• You do not want to agree to the proposed penalties against you in a plea deal (e.g., the prosecutor is not offering an arrangement that makes it worth your while to plead guilty)

In order to effectively fight the charges, you need an experienced DUI attorney who knows how to expose the flaws in the prosecution’s case. 

How Much Does the Average DUI Cost in California?

A DUI conviction in California can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 on average. This average cost can include fines, court fees, DUI school, DMV costs, increased car insurance premiums, and lawyer fees.

Some DUI Charges End in a Plea Deal

While many DUI cases will end up in convictions, this does not tell the entire story. Your Riverside attorney can help you resolve your case by securing a favorable plea deal or even a diversion program in exchange for your guilty plea. This will minimize the consequences to you of a conviction. In many cases, this is actually the best possible outcome for you. 

Even if the prosecutor makes an initial plea offer, there may be room for negotiation. You should never just accept the deal that the state is offering without getting a lawyer’s opinion. 

In addition to the criminal justice process, you may also have a parallel proceeding with the Department of Motor Vehicles about the status of your driver’s license. It is important to have legal representation during this process too. There may be room to receive a shorter license suspension or no suspension at all. 

DUI charges are scary because they are many people’s first introduction to the criminal justice system. All the while, the future consequences that color you may face can color your judgment when it comes to making key legal decisions. 

The sheer stress of a DUI charge compounds the difficulties that you are already facing. Trying to handle your own legal process could only add to the angst that you are facing while leaving you practically defenseless if your rights are violated. 

Contact a DUI Attorney in Riverside, California

When you are hiring a DUI attorney, you need the best trial attorney in Riverside, California, who also knows how to work with prosecutors when necessary. 

Daniel DeLimon is a former prosecutor who thinks like one in defending his clients. 

He knows when the prosecutor may have room to make a better plea offer and how to spot the weaknesses in a case because he has been in those shoes. 

If you are facing criminal DUI charges call Daniel DeLimon today for a free consultation at our local number (951) 382-5559.