Freestone, CA Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

Depends entirely upon which of many different potential charge[s] are filed. You'll learn the actual charge[s] and enhancements filed and get copies of all the police reports, evidence and test results when appearing for arraignment at the first court hearing. In California, if convicted of any felony, you potentially face one or more years in prison, plus fines; on any misdemeanor, you potentially face up to 12 months in jail, plus fines. Multiple counts and charges will multiply your problems. If you have priors and strikes, those will add penalty enhancements under the 3-Strikes rules. If this constitutes a probation or parole violation, factor those new violation charge[s] and old deferred sentence[s] in as well.

Reduced? Wet reckless requires your blood alcohol be below the legal .08 limit, and that there be a weak risky case for the DA. Even if you get one, it will carry all the same penalties as DUI. When arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or confession be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? Raise all appropriate defenses with whatever witnesses, evidence and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression or other motions, or for trial. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, program, or other decent outcome through plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate. A little free advice: When arrested for DUI, whether alcohol or drugs, then upon release from jail or booking the defendant is given documents that include a notice that you have only ten days to file a request with DMV for a hearing on an appeal of the automatic suspension of your license imposed by DMV. That is separate and runs consecutively with any suspension that may be imposed by the DMV, or the court upon conviction. Contact DMV and do so, timely, then appear at your scheduled DMV appeal hearing and present any supporting evidence and testimony. If you do not win the appeal, you can still apply later for a restricted license for to/from work and school, etc., after serving at least of the full suspension period. If you don't know how to do these things effectively, then hire an attorney that does.

If criminal charges are filed against you, defend them and hire an attorney to do so. Feel free to contact me in that event. No attorney is going to make your choice for you. Whether you quit or are fired for misconduct, you will be disqualified from unemployment benefits. Try and beg for a mere firing.