California DWI laws

A California DWI charge can completely change the life of an individual. At this moment of time, it is quite pivotal that the accused driver gets to know the basics of California criminal court system.

DWI attorney can help you immensely in this regard. But before you hire any DWI attorney, makes sure that his/her track record is quite good.

You have to face two separate cases when booked for DWI in California. It includes a court case and a case at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Both these cases are quite serious in nature and any indiscipline can cost you dearly. If you are booked for DWI in California, it is quite important that you apply for a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles 10 days after the arrest. If you don’t do this, your driving license is going to be suspended.

The DWI case in California is filed against you on the basis of two statutes. First one is the California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), and Vehicle Code Section 23152 (b), which takes into consideration the fact that whether or not you were under the influence of alcohol at the time of driving or not.

Second one is the “per se” charge, which focuses on your blood alcohol content level. If the blood alcohol content level of you is found to be .08 percent or more you will be booked for DWI in California. California DWI law has given a full authority to Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend the driving license of an individual booked for DWI.

If it’s your first DWI offense, Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend your driving license for a time period of four months. In case if it’s your second DWI offense, Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend your driving license for a year.

Cooperate with the law enforcement officer when he wants to conduct different kinds of tests on you. This is surely going to help you when the court hearing starts. On the other hand, if you do not cooperate with the law enforcement officer it may ruin your case in the court.