Immediately Contact Marley Law if You’ve Been Charged with a DUI
In Orange County and all throughout the state of California, DUI is taken extremely seriously in the eyes of the court. Penalties for DUI crimes are quite severe as the court tends to “throw the book” at the convicted. Of course, these penalties tend to vary depending on the circumstances of the case. Factors like a criminal record, blood alcohol content, and how recklessly the individual was driving all go into consideration when calculating the punishment.
Attorney Michael Marley of Marley Law Firm is a masterclass DUI defense attorney that embodies tenacity to get the results you need. Marley is known for the aggressive, zealous representation of his clients at every stage of the case. For a free consultation, simply fill out a form on our Contact Page or call us at (949) 726-6000.
The Varying Penalties to DUI Offenses
First Offense:
- Driver’s License suspended for up to 4 months
- A 3 to 5 year probationary period
- 3 to 9 months of mandatory alcohol classes
- Fines and fees ranging from $390 to $1000
- Up to 6 months in county jail
Second Offense
- Driver’s License suspended for up to 2 years
- A probationary period of 3 to 5 years
- 18 months of mandatory alcohol classes
- Mandatory AA meetings
- Fines and fees ranging from $390 to $1000
- Anywhere from 96 hours to 1 year in county jail
Third Offense
- A suspended Driver’s License for up to 3 years
- 5 years of probation
- 18 months of mandatory alcohol classes
- Breathalyzer installed on the defendant’s vehicle
- AA meetings
- 120 days to 1 year in jail
Fourth Offense
- Felony charges are filed
- Driver’s License suspension of 4 years
- 18 months of mandatory alcohol classes
- AA meetings
- Incarceration in county or state jail
The Faults of Breathalyzer Tests
When an individual is suspected of drunk driving, the police will administer a breathalyzer test at the scene. They attempt to determine the individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) through their breath as the device can pick up traces of alcohol. However, they are notoriously less reliable than blood tests since there are some issues with the device that can negatively affect the result.
A specialized DUI Defense Attorney like Michael Marley can bring these results into question. Breathalyzer devices need to be calibrated every 10 days or every 150 subjects that use the device, if that was not done, the breathalyzer results can be considered inconclusive.
Potential Issues with Blood Tests
Typically considered more accurate, blood tests are done by taking the blood of the defendant to calculate their blood alcohol content. However, just like breathalyzer tests, blood tests have their issues. It could be improperly handled, maybe conducted by an untrained professional, neglected, or even the victim of foul play and tampering. Your defense attorney can investigate every angle of these tests to see if there was any issue that would lead to a false BAC level.
Why Do You Need a DUI Defense Attorney?
Whether it is your first offense or fourth, it is imperative to have exceptional DUI Defense Attorney Michael Marley on your side. He specializes in discovery techniques that will prove your innocence and help get you off the hook.
Your future is on the line, you only have 10 days after your arrest to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license. Call Marley Law at (949) 726-6000 to get the ultimate DUI defense attorney on your team so he can immediately start strategizing for your case.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
