When Should I Contact a Los Angeles 2nd Offense DUI Lawyer?

Bringing on professional legal assistance promptly is important for most legal matters. In a 2nd offense DUI charge, however, time really is of the essence. Contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible after being taken into custody. Ideally, you’ll get in touch with an attorney by the following day, if not within hours on the same day. Why the rush? For one thing, California’s 10-day rule limits your time to request a court hearing with the DMV. This hearing is what determines whether you will lose your driver’s license at this time. Fail to request your hearing within 10 days of being arrested for a 2nd DUI in California, and the result is the same as if you had appeared but lost the hearing. Your license will be suspended for a year under what’s known as an Administrative Per Se, or APS, Suspension. If law enforcement refuses to release you from custody on your own recognizance, you may be stuck in jail for some time after your arrest but before your trial, either because you’re considered ineligible for bail or the bail amount imposed is excessively high. A DUI defense lawyer may be able to help by reviewing the facts of the case against you and seeking to have your bail reduced or waived. Finally, early involvement gives your 2nd time DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, the most time to thoroughly investigate the case against you and prepare your legal strategy.

Can a 2nd Time DUI Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Help Me Beat the Charges or Get a Lighter Sentence?

One of the main benefits of hiring a Los Angeles 2nd offense DUI lawyer is having someone on your side to seek a more favorable outcome to the charges you’re facing. We can help by investigating the offense to identify evidence that mitigates or calls into question the case against you. Based on these facts, we build our clients as strong a defense as possible. The outcome of your case will depend on your unique circumstances, but by exploring all legal options, we seek a resolution that will minimize the impact these criminal charges could have on your life.

Los Angeles 2nd Offense DUI Lawyer | 2nd Time DUI Defense Attorney Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles 2nd Offense DUI Lawyer

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2nd Time DUI Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Representing Clients Against Repeat Charges in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County, and Across Southern California

Upon a second DUI charge, you could be looking at significant jail time and fines. You need a robust defense if you’re hoping to achieve a positive resolution, including lighter sentences.

The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney are committed to standing up for the rights of those accused of repeat offenses for driving under the influence. Contact us today for a free consultation, and find out how we can help.

818-330-5198Get Help Today. Tell Us Your Story.

2nd Offense DUI Charges in Los Angeles, CA

California takes DUI charges seriously, especially when it comes to multiple offenses. Although the state’s laws concerning drunk driving are among the most rigid in the country, your legal rights don’t just disappear because you’ve been charged with this serious offense. Those rights include the right to hire an experienced Los Angeles 2nd offense DUI lawyer to fight for you and represent your interests.

The Areas Our Los Angeles 2nd Offense DUI Lawyer Serves

The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney represent clients charged in L.A., throughout Los Angeles County, and across all of Southern California.

We have experience assisting people charged with a second DUI offense in cities like the following :

Agoura Hills
Alhambra
Arcadia
Artesia
Avalon
Azusa
Baldwin Park
Bell
Bell Gardens
Bellflower
Beverly Hills
Bradbury
Burbank
Calabasas
Carson
Cerritos
Claremont
Commerce
Compton
Covina
Cudahy
Culver City
Diamond Bar
Downey
Duarte
El Monte
El Segundo
Gardena
Glendale
Glendora
Hawaiian Gardens
Hawthorne
Hermosa Beach
Hidden Hills
Huntington Park
Industry
Inglewood
Irwindale
La Cañada Flintridge
La Habra Heights
La Mirada
La Puente
La Verne
Lakewood
Lancaster
Lawndale
Lomita
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Lynwood
Malibu
Manhattan Beach
Maywood
Monrovia
Montebello
Monterey Park
Norwalk
Palmdale
Palos Verdes Estates
Paramount
Pasadena
Pico Rivera
Pomona
Rancho Palos Verdes
Redondo Beach
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Estates
Rosemead
San Dimas
San Fernando
San Gabriel
San Marino
Santa Clarita
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Monica
Sierra Madre
Signal Hill
South El Monte
South Gate
South Pasadena
Temple City
Torrance
Vernon
Walnut
West Covina
West Hollywood
Westlake Village
Whittier

Penalties for 2nd Time DUI Charges in Los Angeles

What’s at stake when you’ve been charged with a 2nd DUI offense? Under California law, you’re facing consequences that range from probation and restrictions on your driving privileges to jail time and significant fines.

Jail Time for a 2nd DUI Charge in California

If convicted of a 2nd offense DUI, you will (not may) be facing jail time. Under state law, 2nd-time offenders must serve a mandatory minimum of 96 hours of jail time in the county jail.

However, you could be stuck in jail for a lot longer than a few days, especially if your case involved factors that increase the severity of the offense. It’s not uncommon for prosecutors in Los Angeles County to seek sentences of 90 days of jail time for 2nd DUI charges, and even that isn’t the worst-case scenario. Under state law, 2nd time DUI offenders may be sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail.

Fines for 2nd DUI Offenses in California

There are financial penalties for driving under the influence, too. If convicted of a second DUI charge in California, you could find yourself facing considerable costs. The fine, which amounts to between $390 and $1,000, is only the tip of the iceberg. By the time you add on the penalty assessment and other fees, the total cost of financial penalties for the DUI can approach $2,000.

Restrictions on Driving Privileges Following a 2nd DUI Offense

Charges of driving under the influence can keep you from driving again for quite a while. If you don’t request a hearing with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within just 10 days of the arrest, you could face Administrative Per Se, or APS, suspension of your license. If you lose the DMV hearing, you could also lose your license through an administrative suspension. Administrative suspensions generally last one year if you have had at least one DUI charge on your record within the past 10 years.

Even more concerning is a suspension that results from a criminal conviction for DUI. With one DUI or related charge, like “wet” reckless driving, in the past 10 years, you could be facing a two-year suspension of driving privileges. In some cases, the suspended license may be able to be converted to a restricted license after the first year.

In addition to or, in some instances, instead of a license suspension, an offender may be required to have an ignition interlock device, or IID, installed in their vehicle. This device is essentially a handheld breathalyzer that prevents the driver from starting the car’s ignition if it detects alcohol on the operator’s breath.

Mandatory DUI School

If convicted of a second charge of driving under the influence, you may be required to attend a mandatory DUI school. Court-approved programs may be 18 or even 30 months in length.

Probation After a 2nd DUI Conviction

Aside from the other penalties of a second DUI conviction, you could also face three to five years of probation. Terms of probation for 2nd time DUI offenders in California include:

Not driving with any measurable amount of blood alcohol, even if this amount is below the legal limit
Submitting to chemical tests if arrested for another DUI offense
Not committing criminal violations of any kind
Restitution for any accident caused by driving under the influence of alcohol (potentially)
Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings (potentially)
Participating in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Impact Panel (potentially)
Installation of an IID on any car you own or drive for up to three years (potentially)

Violating any terms of probation that results from a 2nd time DUI charge could bring about serious consequences, including further jail time.

Contact a Los Angeles 2nd offense DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney for a Free Consultation

A 2nd DUI charge isn’t a matter to take lightly. The consequences of these charges under California law can be life-changing.

For help from a 2nd offense DUI attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call (310) 209-3999.

2nd Offense DUI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Bringing on professional legal assistance promptly is important for most legal matters. In a 2nd offense DUI charge, however, time really is of the essence. Contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible after being taken into custody. Ideally, you’ll get in touch with an attorney by the following day, if not within hours on the same day.
Why the rush? For one thing, California’s 10-day rule limits your time to request a court hearing with the DMV. This hearing is what determines whether you will lose your driver’s license at this time. Fail to request your hearing within 10 days of being arrested for a 2nd DUI in California, and the result is the same as if you had appeared but lost the hearing. Your license will be suspended for a year under what’s known as an Administrative Per Se, or APS, Suspension.

If law enforcement refuses to release you from custody on your own recognizance, you may be stuck in jail for some time after your arrest but before your trial, either because you’re considered ineligible for bail or the bail amount imposed is excessively high. A DUI defense lawyer may be able to help by reviewing the facts of the case against you and seeking to have your bail reduced or waived. Finally, early involvement gives your 2nd time DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, the most time to thoroughly investigate the case against you and prepare your legal strategy.
One of the main benefits of hiring a Los Angeles 2nd offense DUI lawyer is having someone on your side to seek a more favorable outcome to the charges you’re facing.
We can help by investigating the offense to identify evidence that mitigates or calls into question the case against you. Based on these facts, we build our clients as strong a defense as possible. The outcome of your case will depend on your unique circumstances, but by exploring all legal options, we seek a resolution that will minimize the impact these criminal charges could have on your life.

Schedule Your Consultation

Regardless of your circumstance, you are not alone in your fight. We are ready to stand by your side and fight for your rights, freedom, and reputation. Contact us today to schedule a free remote or in-person consultation, and let us assist you in finding a solution to your problem.