DUI

Criminal defense lawyer Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law, devotes a significant portion of his Encino law practice to the defense of people charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the San Fernando Valley and throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

A Serious Offense

The penalties for a DUI conviction can be steep. For a first offense, you face anywhere from four days to six months in jail and a fine from $390 to $1,000. Also, you will be required to complete a DUI program, and you may be ordered to install an ignition interlock device on your car, which will prevent you from operating your vehicle if you have had anything to drink. Finally, in addition to any criminal penalties imposed, the DMV will suspend your driver's license for four months. These potential penalties increase with each subsequent offense. For instance, on a second offense, you could be sentenced from 90 days to one year in jail.

In addition to criminal and administrative penalties, a DUI conviction can have serious repercussions throughout your personal and professional life. Your reputation in the community can be damaged. You could lose your job or be prevented from applying for certain jobs. And you will have a criminal record that will follow you around for the rest of your life, unless you are able to have your record cleared through an expungement or other proceeding.

There is Hope

Even if you have been arrested for DUI, there are still many defenses that may lead to a dismissal of charges or an acquittal at trial. The equipment that was used to determine your BAC may have been faulty, and any field tests that were given to you may have been administered improperly. Also, the initial stop by the police may not have been warranted at its inception, so that any subsequent tests or evidence gathered should not be admissible in court. Our office explores every option to provide you with the best defense available.

In the event that an acquittal or dismissal is not a likely occurrence, we can still work with the judge and prosecutor to secure the best possible outcome for you, including any alternative sentencing or probation options that may be available. We may be able to keep your record clear or repair it at the earliest opportunity. With our years of experience handling DUI cases, we can help minimize any negative outcomes that can arise form a DUI conviction.

Dan Melnick is also a licensed boat captain with a 100-ton Masters License and years of experience in boating. In addition to DUI arrests, we can help with arrests for boating under the influence (BUI), which can lead to criminal charges and DMV license suspensions as well.

If you have been arrested for DUI, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The clock is ticking if you wish to fight your driver's license suspension at a DMV hearing. More important are the criminal consequences you face, and the sooner your attorney can begin working for you, the more likely it is that a positive outcome can be reached. In Los Angeles, Orange County, or Ventura County, contact Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law, for a free consultation.