| A DUI or Driving under the Influence charge is much | | | | community service, Cal Trans work, etc. The court |
| more serious of an event than most people think. | | | | will make a decision based on the circumstances of |
| Especially in Los Angeles and the Southern California | | | | the case. A conviction by the criminal court will |
| area, where driving is a large part of one’s daily | | | | appear on the defendant’s criminal record. |
| life. The common thought amongst most people is | | | | A DUI will also affect one’s driver license |
| that a DUI is not a serious crime and is more of a | | | | privileges. A separate hearing by the DMV (California |
| traffic violation. The reality is that it is as serious as | | | | Department of Motor Vehicles) will determine |
| any other crime and the penalties associated with it | | | | whether restrictions on one’s driver license |
| might even come with a heavier burden and price | | | | should be placed. After reviewing the evidence on |
| tag. | | | | the matter and testimony by the arresting officer, |
| A DUI is something that can happen to any person | | | | the DMV can either leave the license in tact without |
| and in most cases is a crime that is charged to those | | | | restrictions, suspend for a certain amount of time, |
| members of the community that are least likely to | | | | revoke the license, or make the license restrictive for |
| be involved in any criminal matter. Hence, a DUI can | | | | driving to and from work. Losing a driving license in |
| happen to anyone. Therefore, DUI’s are crimes | | | | Los Angeles is a greater burden than any other place, |
| that occur with greater frequency than other crimes | | | | as it may affect how you get to work and public |
| in our society. For this reason, law enforcement and | | | | transportation isn’t always a possibility in LA. Any |
| government policy have been more stringent on the | | | | infraction on ones license can have a severe impact |
| penalties it imposes on the offenders. | | | | on their way in life in Los Angeles. |
| So how does a DUI affect a Southern Californian? | | | | A DUI will also have some serious financial burdens to |
| The mere nature of the infrastructure in the Greater | | | | the one arrested. Between court fines, and programs |
| Los Angeles area and Southern California requires one | | | | required and attorney’s fees, a DUI will cost |
| to use a personal vehicle for transportation more | | | | several thousands of dollars. This is not including any |
| than other metropolitan areas. As well, due to the | | | | cost associated with higher insurance premiums. |
| size of the city, Southern Californians are prone to | | | | A DUI can affect other factors as employment. A |
| commute longer distances than most other cities, | | | | DUI shows on your criminal record which is in many |
| putting them more situations where they have to | | | | circumstances is requested by potential employers. |
| make a judgment of whether they are able to drive | | | | Many employers view a DUI as a testament to |
| after consuming alcoholic beverages. As well as | | | | one’s responsibility and reliability. Therefore, a |
| placing many Los Angeles drivers in a higher risk of | | | | DUI can also cost someone a potential employment |
| encountering a drunk driver. Therefore, stopping | | | | opportunity. |
| drunk drivers is an objective of high priority for local | | | | With all the possible burdening effects a DUI can |
| law enforcement agencies. | | | | have on a individual, it is in one’s best interest to |
| If a driver is convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles, the | | | | at the least consult a experienced DUI Lawyer. A |
| penalties will have great and lasting effects on them. | | | | knowledgeable Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can either |
| For one, the DUI offender will face criminal charges. | | | | dismiss your case if the circumstances are there or |
| A conviction in a criminal court can impose a sentence | | | | minimize the potential charges and infractions on your |
| involving jail time, alcohol programs, drug programs, | | | | license, saving you more money in the long run. |