It is certainly possible. The charges carry up to a year in jail, like any other misdemeanor crime, and second offenses are treated more severely than first. With all that said, your attorney may be able to keep you out of jail through a plea bargain. When charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or statement be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? Raise all appropriate defenses with whatever witnesses, evidence and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression or other motions, or for trial. Effective plea-bargaining, using those defenses, could possibly reduce the potential time and other penalties you face. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or elsewhere are going to effectively help you in your legal defense. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, program, or other decent outcome through motions, plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate. A little free advice: If arrested for DUI, whether alcohol or drugs, then upon release from jail or booking the defendant is given documents that include a notice that you have only ten days to file a request with DMV for a hearing on an appeal of the automatic suspension of your license imposed by DMV upon your arrest. That is separate and runs consecutively with any suspension that may be imposed by the DMV, or the court upon conviction. Contact DMV and do so, timely if you think you have grounds for appeal, then appear at the scheduled DMV appeal hearing and present your supporting evidence and witness testimony. If you don't know how to do these things effectively, then hire an attorney that does. If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if the charges are in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to help fight this and get the best outcome possible, using whatever defenses there may be. Terry A. Nelson Attorney at Law 18685 Main St. #175 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714) 960-7584 email lawyer@surfcity.net Privileged And Confidential Communication. The information contained in this document is intended solely for use by the intended recipient[s]. This electronic transmission, and any documents attached hereto, (a) are protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 USC 2510-2521), (b) may contain privileged and confidential information including information which may be protected by the attorney-client and/or attorney work product privileges, (c) may contain settlement discussions privileged under California Evidence Code 1152.
Answered on Sep 07th, 2012 at 10:59 AM