Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorneys
DUI Court Process in Los Angeles County, California
Contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at Gold & Witham if you or someone you know has been arrested for drunk driving in or around Los Angeles County, California.
In California, the DUI process has two branches. The first is the DMV hearing, and this is held at the Drivers Safety Office of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (who has sole discretion in regard to the suspension of your driver’s license). The second branch is the DUI court process, which is the criminal side of the legal process that is involved in a Los Angeles DUI (driving under the influence) charge. On this page, we will describe the criminal court process and how a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney or lawyer may be able to help guide you through this complex and time-consuming procedure to reach the best result possible.
Los Angeles County DUI Criminal Court Process
The Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers and attorneys at Gold & Witham are familiar with the Los Angeles County DUI criminal court process, and use this experience to our clients’ benefit. Our attorneys handle all types of driving under the influence charges and DUI-related offenses, including felony DUI charges, driving under the influence of drugs, DUI auto accidents, vehicular manslaughter, multiple DUI offenses and out of state DUI charges. Following we have described the court process as it relates to a typical Los Angeles DUI charge.
After a driver has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, the court will set a bail amount or may release the driver on his or her own recognizance (without having to pay bail). The driver’s first court appearance will be at the arraignment, at which time the judge will inform him or her of the charges he or she is facing. The defendant may enter a plea of not guilty, guilty or no contest. The defendant will be best prepared and will receive the best outcome for his or her case when working with a skilled Los Angeles DUI lawyer who can advise the defendant on whether to plead guilty or not guilty (pleading guilty when unnecessary could have disastrous effects!)
Following the arraignment, the defense attorney may file pretrial motions or may negotiate a plea bargain. Pretrial motions, such as a motion to suppress evidence, are filed by an attorney in order to help the defendant’s case. A plea bargain may be offered by the prosecuting attorney in an attempt to have the defendant plead guilty for a lesser charge and penalties. Your Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer will be able to, upon thoroughly reviewing your case, determine whether any pretrial motions may be filed and whether accepting a plea bargain would be beneficial to your case.
The trial is then held in court and is and presided over by a judge, with the verdict determined by a jury. After both sides (defense and prosecution) have presented evidence, witnesses and cross-examined witnesses, the jury will deliberate and decide upon a verdict. If the verdict is guilty, the judge will determine sentencing.
Contact Gold & Witham to see how a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney at our firm can offer you excellent legal representation throughout the entire DUI court process.