When it comes to DUI, the jurisdiction plays a pivotal role.  It's not just a matter of where your case is heard, but it can determine whether you're in a courthouse that is stringent on DUIs or in a more lenient one. This distinction can significantly influence the outcome of your case, and understanding this can help you prepare for what's ahead.

That's the first starting point, and that's something you're going to discuss with your DUI defense attorney. They will guide you on what things you might be able to do to swing the factors in your favor, like getting character letters and showing that you have a good driving record, a valid license, and insurance.

But really, the main factors that will drive what's going to happen in a DUI case and what can complicate a DUI case are things that you allegedly do that are dangerous. For example, you are driving very fast while under the influence of alcohol.  This is very dangerous.  Another person could get killed, and that's one of the biggest things that the prosecutors and judges are worried about — hurting or killing another person on the road.

That's why they give you that Watson warning.  Every time you plead guilty to a DUI, they tell you that this is your warning.  The Watson warning is a legal notice that if you drink and drive and kill somebody, you could be charged with murder. It's a stark reminder of the potential consequences of a DUI, and it's something you should take very seriously.

Blood Alcohol Level & Causing an Accident

Your blood alcohol level is another significant factor that can complicate and drive DUI cases. The higher your blood alcohol level, the more dangerous you are, and the more severe the punishment the prosecutors will seek against you. This underscores the gravity of your situation in a DUI case in Los Angeles and all across California, making it crucial to understand and address this factor.

California is probably one of the strictest DUI states in the nation, so you have to be wary about what could happen to you and start to take preventive measures.

If you get into an accident, this is another complicating factor.  Now you're bringing somebody else into the mix.  It's not just you endangering yourself.  It's not just the potential theory of you threatening somebody.

Now you've been in an accident.  Often, if you get in an accident with another person, that person may be hurt, and now the prosecutors will be looking to punish you.

If the injury is just soft tissue, you might get lucky and still maintain a misdemeanor DUI and not face state prison or jail time.  If somebody gets seriously hurt, you're going to face a felony and usually at least 90 days in custody.

Even if you receive probation, you may still face up to a year in jail.  You could potentially face prison.  If it's a severe injury in a DUI case, such as significant bodily injury, that's a three-year enhancement. This means you get three years tacked on to whatever you get for the DUI, plus you get a felony. A three-year enhancement is a significant increase in the severity of your punishment, and it's something you want to avoid at all costs.

Plus, it's a strike on your record.  So, these are the serious, complicated factors that you want to avoid and that are seriously hurting somebody in a DUI accident.  So, those are probably the three main complicating factors –speed, hurting somebody seriously, and high blood alcohol level.

No Insurance in a DUI Case

However, other factors may come into play depending on the specific circumstances of your case.  For example, if you get in an accident, even if it's a property damage accident. But you don't have insurance combined with your DUI case; now, you have to pay these people back. The criminal court will attempt to hold you accountable for these debts, and if you don't have the money to repay them, the prosecutors will seek to impose jail time as a consequence.

These are the most significant complicating factors I see in California DUI cases.  However, it's essential to note that you can't generalize too broadly.  You need to consider your specific case and circumstances.

When you hire a DUI defense attorney, you want somebody to do damage control to mitigate these complicated factors to end up with the best result — not go to jail, not go to prison, not lose your license. A DUI defense attorney is a legal professional who specializes in defending individuals charged with DUI.

They can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system, advise you on the best course of action, and represent you in court. That's another complicating factor — if you have multiple DUIs or numerous issues and driving infractions, and now you pick up a DUI, you're in jeopardy of losing your driver's license with the DMV.

You want to get an attorney who is familiar with the DMV and who knows how to minimize the damage to your driver's license and criminal record.