You may think that a DUI case is a DUI case – and that the courthouse involved makes little difference – but this stance is not likely to do you any favors when it comes to obtaining the best possible outcome for your DUI case. The LAX Airport Courthouse – serving Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Marina Del Rey – has its own unique judges, legal professionals, prosecutors, and staff, and this – along with its unique location – fuels its unique courthouse culture. The more Intune and familiar with this courthouse your DUI attorney is, the better positioned you’ll be to obtain a favorable case resolution. Never underestimate the value of the relationships your experienced DUI lawyer has cultivated over the years – in terms of benefits for you and your case.
The LAX Airport Courthouse
The bottom line is that a DUI conviction can have far-reaching consequences that are not only costly but are also challenging to overcome. Bringing your best defense is always the right course of action, and the surest way to accomplish this is with a trusted criminal defense attorney who has considerable experience deftly handling cases in the courthouse where your case is being tried. The better prepared your DUI attorney is to cut to the chase and begin strategizing your best moves – within the context of the courthouse’s unique nature – the better protected your legal rights and the better your chances of resolving your case favorably.
DUI Basics
While no two DUI cases are ever exactly alike, there are some basics that apply across all cases.
The Officer Must Have Reasonable Suspicion to Stop You
An officer cannot pull you over without legal justification to do so. Specifically, they need to have reasonable suspicion that a crime is being or has recently been committed. It is important to note, however, that the reason doesn’t have to be serious or dramatic. In fact, having a burned-out headlight or brake light, failing to dim your brights, or drifting out of your lane a bit will all suffice. After stopping you, the officer must have probable cause for thinking you may be impaired before he or she can move forward with giving you a breath test (although, again, he or she doesn’t need a dramatic reason for proceeding). Consider the following examples of probable cause for conducting a breathalyzer at the scene:
- The officer thinks your eyes are red and/or bloodshot
- The officer thinks you smell of alcohol
- The officer thinks you are slurring your words
Suffice to say that some officers are more zealous than others on the matter, and a skilled DUI attorney will pay attention to your arresting officer’s arrest record (is he or she trigger happy when it comes to making DUI arrests, for example).
The Evidence Required for a Conviction Must be Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The bar for obtaining a conviction on a DUI charge – or any criminal charge – is high. The prosecution is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were indeed driving while under the influence of alcohol. The legal standard for this in nearly every state across the country is 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – or that your driving was empirically impaired by alcohol. It is important to note here that the reading from the breath test you were given when you were stopped is not admissible at trial (due to inconsistencies with the portable devices). If your DUI attorney is well versed with the LAX Airport Courthouse, he or she will be in a far better position to guide your case through the legal gauntlet – negotiating when advisable and holding firm when not – toward an outcome that supports your legal rights and best interests.
A Note about the Breath Test
When you drive, it translates to giving implied consent to taking a breath test if you are arrested. No one, however, can force you to take a breath test prior to arrest (such as when you are first pulled over), but failing to do so can lead to harsher legal consequences in the end.
A DMV Hearing
If you are charged with DUI, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended if you do not request a formal DMV hearing within the first 10 days of arrest (including weekends and holidays). This is your only chance of avoiding automatic license suspension, and it pays to have a seasoned criminal defense lawyer fighting for your rights – and your driving privileges – at this juncture.
What a Conviction Means to You
A conviction for DUI comes with considerable penalties and fines that can mount up quickly, including:
- The fines and any jail time that you are sentenced with
- The court costs
- The cost of attending a DUI education program
- The costs associated with probation
- The overall cost of losing your driver’s license
It is important to understand that, in addition to these legal and financial consequences, there can be serious social consequences that include having your overall social standing tarnished. If you are convicted, it is a matter of public record, and this fact can reverberate throughout your future.
An Experienced DUI Attorney Near Me Can Help
Mark Rosenfeld at the Law Office of Mark Rosenfeld is a distinguished DUI lawyer who takes great pride in his close working knowledge of the practices and procedures at the LAX Airport Courthouse – serving Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Marina Del Rey. This is in addition to his close working relationships with the legal professionals who work there. This wealth of experience and insight leaves him especially well-suited to skillfully advocating for your case’s most advantageous conclusion. Your case is important, so please do not wait to reach out and contact or call us at 310-424-3145 today for more information about how we can help you.
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