Driving under the influence or DUI is a very serious offense in California, especially for repeat offenders. Now for any person who has ever gotten a DUI in Ventura County it is helpful to fully understand the entire process of a DUI case. This can not only help a person achieve a more favorable outcome, but it can also help to save a person a lot of money down the road too.
When Someone Gets Arrested
The first thing that happens after a DUI in Ventura County arrest is the arresting officer will take the offender to a local hospital, jail, or police station to test the person’s blood alcohol level. If the blood alcohol test shows that a person’s blood alcohol level is 0.08% or higher, then the officer will formally charge the person with driving under the influence. From there, the person is taken to jail once the person is considered safe for transport.
Following the arrest a person’s licensed will be automatically suspended for 30 days. At the place of booking, they will then confiscate the person’s driver’s license and then issue a temporary ID to use in place of the driver’s license. Once the suspension is lifted the temporary ID will expire, and the person will receive their driver’s license back.
After a person is booked and their licensed has been suspended, a judge will then set a bail amount. The person then has the option to pay the bail to get released from jail until their court date. If they cannot afford bail or cannot acquire the funds, they can then choose to remain in jail or request the assistance of a bail bondsman.
Get Represented
Now during the time while a person waits for their court date the person has the option to either represent himself or herself in court, or they can call a lawyer for DUI in Ventura County. In most cases, it is not a good idea for a person to represent himself or herself. Lawyers that work in DUI cases have an understanding of how the law works in DUI cases and most likely will be able to help a person get a lesser sentence or lesser fine. If a person cannot afford a lawyer, then there are public defenders who are available in Ventura County.
It is not a requirement to understand every detail of the laws regarding a DUI, but it is important and beneficial for a person who has been charged with a DUI to at least have an understanding of the process. A lawyer who works specifically in DUI cases can certainly walk a person through the whole process. Help is available so long as it is asked for.
