Long Beach DUI Defense Attorneys
Getting arrested for DUI can be scary. Even if you just had a couple drinks or made a small mistake, the consequences can be huge. Your license could get suspended, you might have to pay fines, and it will stay on your criminal record. But with the right Long Beach DUI defense attorney on your side, you can fight the charges and protect your rights.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about DUI charges in Long Beach. We’ll explain the laws, penalties, and defenses so you understand what you’re up against. And we’ll give tips for finding the best DUI lawyer to handle your case.
DUI Laws in Long Beach
California has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08%. If your BAC is 0.08% or higher, you can be arrested for DUI. For commercial drivers, the limit is even lower at 0.04%.
You can also be charged with DUI in Long Beach if your driving was impaired by drugs or medication, even if you were under the legal BAC limit. The laws say it’s illegal to operate a vehicle if your mental or physical abilities are impaired and you can’t drive safely.
There are two main drunk driving offenses: DUI and DWI. DUI stands for “driving under the influence” while DWI is “driving while impaired.” They’re basically two names for the same thing. Both mean you were driving after drinking too much alcohol.
For drugs, you would be charged with DUI if you’re under the influence of illegal or prescription medication. Some common illegal drugs linked to DUI charges include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Penalties for DUI Conviction in Long Beach
If you’re convicted of DUI in Long Beach, the penalties can be severe. Even for a first offense DUI, you could face:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Fines up to $1000 plus penalty assessments
- Driver’s license suspension up to 10 months
- 3-9 months of DUI school
- Ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle
Penalties get worse if you have prior DUIs on your record. A second DUI conviction brings up to 1 year in jail, 18-30 months license suspension, and more. Some third and fourth DUIs can be charged as felonies.
A DUI conviction also means your insurance rates will skyrocket. And you’ll have a criminal record that could hurt job opportunities, professional licensing, and more down the road.
Common DUI Defenses in Long Beach
When fighting DUI charges, an experienced Long Beach DUI attorney will examine the details of your case to build a strong defense. Here are some of the most common DUI defenses they may use:
You Were Under the Legal Limit
The easiest way to beat a DUI is by showing your BAC was actually below 0.08%. Your lawyer can get the breath or blood test results and have them re-examined by experts. They look closely for mistakes in how the test was done. With the right evidence, you may be able to prove you weren’t over the limit after all.
Illegal Traffic Stop
For a DUI arrest to be valid, the police need a good reason to pull you over in the first place. If the traffic stop was illegal, your lawyer can argue that all evidence from the invalid stop should be excluded. This defense works best when police clearly violated your rights.
Faulty Breathalyzer
Breathalyzers aren’t foolproof. They can sometimes give falsely high readings. Your attorney will check if the breathalyzer machine was properly calibrated and maintained. If not, they can argue your BAC results are unreliable and shouldn’t be used to convict you.
You Weren’t Actually Driving
It sounds obvious, but you can’t be convicted of “driving under the influence” if you weren’t actually driving. Sometimes drunk people get arrested while pulled over on the side of the road or even sleeping in a parked car. A lawyer may argue there’s reasonable doubt you were driving.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions like diabetes and acid reflux can mimic signs of impairment, leading to false DUI charges. A lawyer can present medical evidence to show your symptoms were caused by a medical issue, not intoxication.