Sacramento DUI with Injury Lawyer

Sacramento DUI with Injury Attorney

After getting arrested for driving under the influence, it’s important to consult with a lawyer to understand your legal options. It’s even more important for you to seek counsel after getting into a DUI accident where someone was injured. Be sure to speak with a skilled Sacramento DUI with injury lawyer as soon as you can.

What to Know About the Law Office of Conor Bell

Founding attorney Conor Bell attended one of the top law schools in the country, UCLA, afterwards clerking at several legal offices and ultimately working as a prosecutor for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office before opening his own practice. If you’re looking to hire a DUI with injury lawyer, Attorney Bell is more than capable of handling such cases.

When Should I Hire a DUI with Injury Lawyer?

As is the case in all states, it is against the law in California for a driver to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Normally, a driver can be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit, 0.08 percent or higher, or if there is reason to suspect drug intoxication. However, DUI with injury laws are a bit different.

If a DUI incident resulted in the bodily injury of another person, the offending party can be charged with DUI with Injury even if their BAC was within the legal limit. The driver could also be charged with DUI with injury if there was alleged use of any drug, including prescription or over-the-counter. This offense can either be a misdemeanor or a felony, known as a wobbler, depending on the specific details of the case.

In 2020, there were over 23,000 reported injuries that resulted from alcohol-related crashes, making up about 11 percent of the total crash injuries that year. Whether your case may be a felony or a misdemeanor, it’s strongly recommended that you work with a qualified Sacramento DUI lawyer who understands when DUI becomes a felony in California. DUI with injury cases in the Sacramento area are most likely to be processed at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse, which is located at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Potential Penalties for a DUI With Injury Conviction

It’s important to work with a skilled Sacramento DUI with injury attorney as soon as possible following your arrest. The sooner your defense lawyer can review the details of your case, the sooner they can investigate and begin building a strong defense approach on your behalf. It’s a good idea to work with an attorney instead of trying to defend yourself or simply accept the charges, because with a lawyer, you’re less likely to endure unnecessary or excessive penalties.

A DUI with injury conviction is inherently more severe than a simple DUI, and the defendant is susceptible to harsher punishment if convicted, regardless of whether it was a misdemeanor or felony. Understanding California DUI penalties helps you know what to expect. Legal penalties include a jail or prison sentence, a suspension or revocation of your driving privileges, DUI education classes, paying fines, and restitution to the injured party or parties. Many clients wonder is they need to go to the jail for DUI in California and what the minimum sentence is. The severity and length of these punishments can vary depending on how serious the DUI incident was.

For those with prior offenses, working with a Sacramento second offense DUI lawyer becomes even more important, as repeat offenses face harsher consequences.

Hire a DUI With Injury Lawyer

You can feel confident when you entrust your DUI with injury case to the professional team at the Law Office of Conor Bell. Attorney Bell has extensive experience representing clients through a variety of different offenses, including a wide range of DUI crimes. When you hire a DUI with injury lawyer from our team, you gain the confidence knowing that knowledge and experience are on your side.

FAQs

What Is the Punishment for DUI with Injury in CA?

In California, the legal punishment for a DUI with injury charge can range depending on the details of your case. For most cases, penalties include some jail or prison time, fines, license suspension or revocation, and DUI education classes. Additionally, these cases require the defendant to pay restitution to the person or parties injured in the DUI collision. Your lawyer can explain what specific penalties you may face if convicted.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a DUI in CA?

It is certainly worth getting a lawyer to represent you in a DUI case, including for a DUI with injury. Being represented by a qualified criminal defense lawyer ensures you are treated fairly throughout the legal proceedings and gives you a strong chance of obtaining a favorable outcome in your case. An attorney has a deep understanding of the criminal court process and can use their knowledge to effectively defend you. In some cases, knowing whether DUI can be dismissed can help you understand your options.

Is DUI With Injury a Wobbler in California?

In the state of California, a DUI with injury charge is generally considered to be a wobbler. A wobbler is an offense that may be deemed a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the case. A case is more likely to be considered a felony if there were aggravating factors such as a high BAC or severe bodily injury.

How Much Does a California DUI Lawyer Cost?

The exact costs you could incur from a California DUI lawyer could vary depending on a variety of factors. The experience of the lawyer, the complexity of the case, whether the case moves to litigation or is concluded outside of court, and much more all play a role in the costs you could incur. Understanding how much a DUI costs in California can help you budget for both legal fees and potential penalties. It is always recommended to speak with your lawyer during an initial consultation to better understand the costs that you could anticipate.

How Long Does a DUI With Injury Case Take?

A DUI with injury case in the state of California may last anywhere from a few months to a year or longer. The timeline of a criminal case can vary quite a bit depending on the complexity of the circumstances surrounding the DUI offense. DUI cases where the injuries inflicted were complicated or severe are more likely to take longer to resolve. Many clients also ask how long DUI stays on your record and whether an expungement might be possible later.

Contact Our Sacramento DUI with Injury Lawyer Team Today

At the Law Office of Conor Bell, you put your criminal case in the capable hands of a skilled and qualified defense attorney. Reach out to us today to get connected with a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer who’s ready to protect your rights and advocate for you.