Facing charges for a 3rd Offense DUI in San Diego can affect your entire life. You can face serious jail time and other consequences if you are convicted. You need to act fast to fight the charges against you and protect your driving privileges. A prosecutor may only charge you with a 3rd offense if the prior drunk driving charges are within 10 years. The good thing is that most 3rd Offense DUI charges are still misdemeanors, this, however, does not lessen the potential penalties that you could face. You could face up to 1 year in jail if you are convicted as well as up to 5 years of informal probation. Remember, just because you are arrested for driving under the influence does not mean that you must plead guilty. There are defenses to DUI charges. You need a team of aggressive San Diego DUI Defense Lawyers that will fight the charges against you and get the outcome you deserve.
Penalties for a 3rd Offense DUI in San Diego
If you have 2 prior convictions of Vehicle Code section(s) 23152, 23153 or 23103.5 (wet reckless) within 10 years and are arrested on a subsequent drunk driving charge you face 120 days to 1 year in jail, a fine of $390 to $1000 plus penalty assessments and you must complete an 18 to 30-month alcohol program. The California Department of Motor Vehicles can and will impose up to a 3 year revocation of your driving privileges. You will as receive 2 points on your driving records and may have to complete a MADD Victim Impact Panel, community service or even have your vehicle subject to impoundment. The DMV will require you to maintain proof of financial responsibility for 3 years and you will likely experience an increase in your auto insurance or your carrier may drop you altogether. You may lose your right to maintain a commercial license. If you refuse a chemical test you may face an additional 10 days in jail. If you have someone under the age of 14 in your vehicle you will face an additional 30 days in jail. If you are charged with excessive speed you could face an additional 60 days in jail.
Hiring the Right San Diego DUI Lawyer
Given these consequences, you cannot afford to face these charges without the help of an experienced DUI Defense Attorney. The DUI Defense Law Group of San Diego can help. We have handled hundreds of DUI cases and are seasoned trial attorneys. Lead trial lawyer Jennifer R. Goldman began her career working at the San Diego Public Defender’s Office and most recently worked with DUI Guru Darryl Genis handling drunk driving cases for his firm. She knows what it takes to get a dismissal of the charges you are facing as well as a set aside through the DMV. She is licensed in California and DC and recently received the Clients’ Choice award through AVVO. Ms. Goldman is a proud member of the Criminal Defense Bar Association of San Diego and California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. She is a past board member of the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers as well as a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. She is a current officer at the State Bar College and member of the California DUI Lawyers Association as well as the National College of DUI Defense. She has handled nearly every kind of drunk driving case and has received notable outcomes on her cases. You need an attorney with results and experience that you can trust. You need Jennifer R. Goldman.