Defend Out of State Drivers Charged with DUI
Southern California DUI Lawyers know California drunk driving laws. For out-of-state drivers arrested for driving under the influence in California, the state’s DUI court process may seem even more complicated and intimidating than it is for California drivers. The consequences of a California DUI arrest are potentially serious for out-of-state drivers. An arrest for driving under the influence may result in the state that issued your driver’s license suspending or revoking your driving privileges. You need a knowledgeable California DUI defense attorney who will aggressively defend your driving privileges in both California and your state of residence.
Contact a knowledgeable California out-of-state driver DUI defense lawyer today by calling (888) 643-2943.
If you are an out-of-state driver charged with driving drunk, you need an experienced California DUI defense attorney at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP. We focus on DUI defense cases and have a detailed understanding of the issues relevant to out-of-state drivers. California has some of the nation’s toughest DUI laws, and they apply to out-of-state drivers as well as in-state motorists. We will defend your legal rights from arraignment through the resolution of the case. If you are an out-of-state driver charged with a misdemeanor first offense DUI, you may not even have to appear in court or return to California.
States Share Data About Out-Of-State Drivers Charged With DUI
Since you are an out-of-state driver, you may think that your California DUI arrest won’t affect you back in your home state. But in many instances, DUI arrests do hit home. If you are an out-of-state driver and receive a California DUI, the DUI may affect your driving privileges in the state that issued your driver’s license, as well as in California. Through an agreement called the Interstate Drivers’ License Compact, 45 states share information about driving-related arrests, including driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, license suspensions and convictions for serious offenses such as drunk driving. The compact was created to toughen penalties for drunk driving.
License Suspension for Out-Of-State Drivers Arrested for DUI
The California police officer that stopped you for drunk driving issued you a document that revokes your driving privileges in California for 30 days after your arrest. You have 10 days to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing to challenge the suspension of your driving privileges. But if you don’t act quickly, you lose the right to do that. You don’t have to appear at the DMV hearing in person. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, can appear on your behalf and work to protect your driving privileges.
If the DMV suspends your driving privileges, California will communicate that information to your home state and your state may follow suit and suspend your driver’s license, too. Through a reciprocal agreement, some states will automatically honor California’s action by suspending your driver’s license. Your past driving record may determine the length of the suspension. It varies from state to state
Criminal DUI Proceeding for Out-Of-State Drivers
In addition to the DMV hearing, you also face a legal proceeding in California court on the charge of driving under the influence. You may be charged with a misdemeanor DUI or a felony DUI, depending on the specifics of your case. This criminal proceeding is separate from the DMV administrative hearing. The initial appearance, called an arraignment, where the charge is presented, may be scheduled several weeks to several months after your DUI arrest.
If you are an out-of-state driver charged with a misdemeanor first offense DUI, you may not have to appear in court or return to California. If you waive your right to appear, a DUI lawyer at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, may be able to appear on your behalf and negotiate to resolve your case.
Turn to California Attorneys Who Handle Out-Of-State DUI Arrests
If you are an out-of-state driver charged with DUI in California, you don’t want to leave anything to chance. The consequences are too serious. You want an experienced, effective California DUI lawyer who is skilled at negotiating to minimize the consequence of a DUI arrest. You want the knowledgeable DUI defense attorneys at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP. It’s important to fight a DUI charge whether you are arrested at home or are an out-of-state driver. Even if you’re an out-of-state driver arrested for DUI in California, the DUI charge may hit home.
Contact a knowledgeable California DUI defense lawyer today by calling (888) 643-2943 or using our online form.