Temecula Multiple DUI Attorney

Tackling DUI With Preexisting Offenses

Despite variations in state laws, penalties for DUIs and DWIs are severe from coast to coast. If you have the misfortune of racking up more than one impaired driving offense in California, you’re probably wondering how your combined violations will impact your sentence when you face the court.

Our award-winning Temecula DUI defense attorney has successfully represented hundreds of clients facing impaired driving charges. No matter the charges, you can rely on Attorney David E. Grande to advocate for your best interests from start to finish.

Have you been charged with multiple DUI offenses in Riverside County? It’s crucial to act now. Call (951) 221-4331 to request a free consultation today.

Defense Strategies for DUIs, DWIs, & Related Charges

The distinction between impaired driving offenses, such as DWIs and DUIs, is typically determined by state law. What one state considers a DUI might be considered a DWI in another state, or vice versa.

According to varying state laws in the U.S., drivers across the country face various charges for operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, such as:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Operating While Intoxicated/Impaired (OWI)
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence (OMVI)

In California, an impaired driving violation is a DUI offense. If you have a record of related violations (such as a DWI) at the time you’re charged with a DUI in California, the court will take your record into consideration when determining your sentence, even if a past offense was received in a different state.

In most cases, this means that any related impaired driving violations on your record will be considered the same as a DUI in California. While the above impaired driving offenses differ in name across state lines, it’s important to note that they reflect the same thing to the court: a law official has reason to believe that you were too impaired by drugs or alcohol to be operating a vehicle at the time of the offense.

If you were charged with more than one drunk or drugged driving offense in California, it’s important to understand how multiple violations can impact your case. Multiple drunk or drugged driving offenses create high stakes that you can’t afford to risk. That’s why our seasoned DUI attorney in Temecula is here to fight for you. Attorney Grande implements an aggressive yet compassionate approach, giving him a formidable edge in the courtroom. He will work tirelessly to ensure that your voice is heard.

Potential Penalties for Multiple DUI Offenses in California

As you may expect, the penalties for impaired driving offenses worsen with each one you receive. The severity of your punishment correlates with the total number of violations accrued.

Don’t risk your rights and driving privileges by undertaking such a complex legal case on your own. Attorney Grande can help strengthen your case by assessing two crucial elements:

1. The total number of impaired driving offenses on your record. Our DUI attorney can help you gain a better understanding of how the quantity of violations will impact the penalties you face.
2. The specific circumstances of each offense accrued. Attorney Grande can work with you to identify extenuating factors that are valuable to your case, and implement an effective plan to present applicable evidence to the court.

After two or more DUI convictions, penalties can include mandatory jail time, increased monetary fines, and stricter probation conditions. A third DUI offense can be classified as a felony depending on the details surrounding the incidents. The potential for enhanced penalties increases dramatically with each subsequent violation, emphasizing the importance of a strategic Temecula DUI legal defense to minimize your exposure to these severe repercussions.

“Aggravating Circumstances” Under California DUI Law

The state of California recognizes a set of extenuating circumstances with the potential to impact the severity of your sentence. These items may apply to any existing offense, regardless of recency.

Aside from total violations accrued, the following criteria may be considered when the court decides your sentence:

• Blood alcohol content (BAC). The legal limit for BAC in California is 0.08%. However, a BAC that meets or exceeds 0.15% can influence the court’s decision regarding your case.
• Implied consent. California’s implied consent law requires all drivers to consent to a chemical test if an officer suspects they are too impaired to drive. Refusal to take a breath or blood test can result in the revocation of your driver’s license.
• Being under the age of 21. Minors are subject to zero-tolerance DUI laws that prohibit underage drinking and driving.
• If the DUI offense involved reckless driving and/or speeding. Endangering the lives of other drivers on the road at the time of the offense will likely influence the court’s decision.
• If there was a child under 14 years old in the vehicle at the time of the offense. If the offense involved the endangerment of a child, the court is likely to consider this when determining your sentence.
• If the DUI offense resulted in motor vehicle death or bodily injury. This factor is particularly vital. If applicable, it will almost certainly maximize the harshness of your sentence.

Aggravating circumstances significantly impact the judicial outcomes of DUI cases. If your offense includes these elements, it underscores the need for proficient legal guidance to address these factors effectively in court. Convincing the court to consider mitigating factors can result in reduced sentences, making the knowledge of both local DUI laws and typical sentencing patterns in Temecula a critical asset for any defense strategy.

Tackling DUI & Vehicular Manslaughter Charges

Under California Penal Code 191.5(a), any instance of impaired driving—even your 1st offense—that results in the death of another person is considered gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

This is defined as “the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code.”

Gross vehicular manslaughter refers to an act of gross negligence exhibited by an impaired driver. This is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Because this charge is classified as separate from your DUI or related charges, it can drastically heighten the stakes of your case.

If your offense resulted in death or injury to another person, it’s absolutely critical for you to secure the support of a trusted defense lawyer, as your freedom is at risk.

The penalty for multiple DUIs is severe. Don’t throw away your life by going in unprepared. Contact our firm by calling (951) 221-4331 to book a free consultation now.