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DUI Attorney in Santa Rosa Outlines What to Do if You Have Been Arrested for a DUI

Blogs from March, 2018

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Getting arrested for a DUI, while serious, isn’t the end of your life. There are many things you can do to limit the impact an arrest will have on your future. While the stress and humiliation of getting arrested, photographed, fingerprinted, and incarcerated can make it seem like the situation is hopeless, it isn’t over yet. This post will go over what you need to know and how a DUI attorney in Santa Rosa can assist you.

Criminal Court vs. the DMV

The first thing you should note is that you have to deal with two different branches of government. First, you will face DUI charges in criminal court, meaning the prosecutor will introduce evidence and try to induce a plea bargain or a conviction. Second, you will need to go to the DMV. A driver’s license is a privilege, not a right, so the government automatically revokes your license if you are arrested for a DUI. You will need to go to the DMV to get your license reinstated through their separate administrative processes.

Criminal Process

The criminal process will slightly vary depending on each case, but in general, you can count on the following to occur. First, the prosecutor will review the arresting officer’s notes and recommendations. She will then decide whether to file charges, add more charges, or remove some charges. After you are charged, you will be arraigned. Unless you made prior arrangements to secure your release, arraignment is where bail is set and where you can either plead guilty or not. A DUI attorney in Santa Rosa can better go through your options.

The DMV Process

Once you are arrested, the officer should confiscate your license and issue you a 30-day “pink” license. The temporary license affords you full driving privileges and, once it ends, the DMV will suspend your license for at least 4 months (although it could be longer depending on the circumstances of your arrest).

Contact a Santa Rosa DUI Attorney Today

You have 10 days from the issuance of a pink license to contest the suspension. It is critical that you request a hearing with the DMV as soon as possible, or you risk losing your license for the full suspension period. The DUI attorneys in Santa Rosa at the Law Office of Joseph Bisbiglia can guide you through the process and help you.

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