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Fourth-Time DUI

Fourth-time DUI Attorney in Los Angeles 

When you find yourself in the daunting situation of a fourth-time DUI charge, it's crucial to have a criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in handling such cases. Their expertise can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

When facing a fourth-time DUI charge, the stakes are high. Prison time is a real possibility, with prosecutors often pushing for the maximum sentence. This could mean years behind bars, a hefty fine, and a felony record that will have lasting effects on your rights and opportunities. 

They're looking to do that because it's a deterrent, and it also shows that they're actually taking your situation seriously and not just sweeping it under the rug because to get that fourth-time DUI, you had to go through three other DUIs — typically, not always.

Sometimes, you can get a felony DUI for another reason. Still, if it is your fourth time DUI, then you are in a position where you're looking at a significant amount of time in custody unless somehow your attorney can show that the fourth time DUI is an aberration.

In other words, you were doing well, and something happened to knock you off course. 

One of the biggest things that prosecutors or judges are looking at when they deal with a fourth-time DUI is how dangerous you were out on the road and what they believe they could do to protect the public from those individuals who drink and drive and who will not stop doing that.

Residential Treatment Program

Punishment-wise, you're looking at prison time unless your attorney can somehow convince the prosecutor that probation is the better option for you.  Another option sometimes is to do a long-term live-in residential treatment program.

Fourth-Time DUI Attorney in Los Angeles

Sometimes, that can help avoid a lengthy custodial sentence because the prosecutors figure that if you're off the road for a long period and you're getting help for the root problem, then they feel like they're doing something that can assist you with your DUI situation.

So, that's one option, but that, of course, comes with not being able to work for six months to a year because you're in a long-term residential program, and a lot of people don't want to do that, can't afford to do that — have a family and several other obligations.

I think what it takes is getting serious about not drinking anymore because that seems to be the root of the problem once you're getting behind the wheel for the fourth time and getting a felony DUI. 

That's another issue that the first DUI — as long as you didn't hurt anybody — you're going to be charged as a misdemeanor, whereas now this fourth-time DUI will be charged as a felony, so you're going to lose a lot of rights.

Losing Right To Vote, Possess a Weapon, Revoke Driver's License

You'll lose the right to vote, the right to own, use, or possess a weapon, and the ability to vote. You'll also have a felony on your record for at least a period. 

If you end up going to prison or getting a prison sentence, that felony will be on your record forever. If you get a probation sentence, you would have a chance to have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor.

Other penalties related to a fourth-time DUI are very similar to other DUIs in that you have to do an alcohol program, and the DMV is going to respond to you. 

A lot of times, the DMV will just simply revoke your driver's license for three years, depending on what your driving record looks like and what you end up getting convicted for related to your DUI matter.

So, your best course of action is typically to find an attorney who knows the courthouse where your case is pending and is familiar with successfully defending a DUI. Look for someone with a strong track record in DUI defense, who is well-respected in the legal community, and who you feel comfortable working with.

Success at this level means trying to prevent somebody from getting a prison sentence that will cause them to lose many of their substantial rights. If you get a prison sentence, you'll be locked up for a lengthy period, and your record will be marred for a lengthy period.

Understand that when you get arrested for a fourth-time DUI, the judge and the prosecutor are zeroed in on what you can do this time to help protect the public. 

So, they're going to look at your prior DUIs and how long ago they occurred.

What occurred in the prior DUIs — whether you injured anybody in the prior DUI, and obviously, they're going to look at you as a person.  This means you, as an individual who picked up a DUI, and what exactly did you do during that DUI?

Were you driving fast?  Were you driving dangerously?  Was anybody injured?  How high was your blood alcohol level? 

The higher your blood alcohol level, the more dangerous you're going to be perceived to be.

Planning a Strategy for Best Outcome on Fourth DUI

So, really, I think it's important right from the beginning when you're talking about a fourth-time DUI, you've got to start to figure out what the plan of attack is going to be. 

When strategizing for a fourth-time DUI case, it's important to consider the various defense options. This could involve challenging the evidence, negotiating a plea deal, or demonstrating a commitment to rehabilitation. Each strategy has its own merits and should be carefully considered with your attorney.

 Even if the evidence seems overwhelming, a skilled attorney can often find a successful defense strategy, giving you hope for a positive outcome. This potential for a positive resolution can inspire optimism about your future and motivate you to make positive decisions. 

If they have the evidence, you should obviously acknowledge that you've done something wrong.

Then, you and your attorney will want to show the prosecutor and judge what you're going to do moving forward. This demonstration of your commitment to change can inspire optimism about your future and motivate you to make positive decisions.

If you can show the judge and the prosecutor this, then you've put yourself in the best position to be successful and to get out of the judicial system as fast as possible.

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