San Leandro Second-Offense DUI Lawyer

If you are charged with a second DUI offense, you are likely feeling overwhelmed, scared, and concerned about your future. Aside from incarceration, fines, and loss of your driver’s license, you can face difficulties seeking employment and embarking upon new careers due to your permanent criminal record. As a result, you may wish to turn to a San Leandro second-offense DUI lawyer for help.

With legal counsel at your side, you could challenge the legality of your traffic stop, dispute the results of field sobriety testing, or point out improper procedures that police officers used during your stop, in appropriate cases. If you are facing charges, reach out to an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.

Second-Offense DUI in San Leandro

A second-offense DUI charge occurs when individuals have one prior DUI or reckless driving with alcohol conviction or within the last ten years and are facing charges again. A second DUI offense is a misdemeanor offense under state law, but the overall penalties are harsher than those for a first DUI offense.

In addition, the presence of specific aggravating factors can elevate those penalties even more. A second-offense DUI lawyer in San Leandro may be able to assist in building a strong defense to the charges and work toward reduced charges or penalties in the appropriate cases.

Penalties for a Second DUI Offense

The potential penalties for a second-offense DUI are harsher than those for a first-offense DUI. Individuals must serve a minimum jail sentence of 96 hours, but they could face a sentence of incarceration of up to one year. Defendants will also face a fine of between $390 and $1,000, with added penalties that can easily increase beyond $2,000.

Other penalties include a license suspension of at least one year, which may be downgraded to a restricted license upon the installation of an ignition interlock device. Individuals will also be unable to regain their driving privileges until after completing a mandatory DUI program, which can range 18 to 30 months in duration.

As a second-offense DUI attorney in San Leandro may explain, various other factors may impact the ultimate sentence for a second offense DUI. Some of those aggravating factors that may result in an enhanced sentence include whether individuals caused an accident, whether a minor was present in the vehicle at the time of the offense, and whether individuals refused a chemical test. Individuals facing penalties for a second-time DUI should contact an accomplished lawyer right away.

Call a San Leandro Second-Offense DUI Attorney for Assistance

Timing can be critical if you want to fight back effectively against second-offense DUI charges. These cases move quickly through the court system, and license suspension proceedings occur within a matter of days. As a result, you should not wait to call on a San Leandro second-offense DUI lawyer for advice about the charges that you are facing. Rather than allowing a DUI conviction to follow you well into the future, take action today, and contact legal counsel for advice.