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4 Reasons You Can Be Charged With An Aggravated Dui In California

If you're a California driver, it's essential to know the laws and potential consequences of a DUI. Under California law, there are several levels of DUI offenses, and an aggravated DUI is one of the most serious. In this article, we'll outline four reasons you can be charged with an aggravated DUI in California. Keep in mind that if you are convicted of this offense, you could face severe penalties including jail time and a fine. So be sure to familiarize yourself with the state's drunk driving laws!

 

 

Prior Convictions

At first glance, a DUI charge might not seem like that big of a deal. After all, it's just one small offense on your criminal record, right? However, if you're facing an aggravated DUI in California, things are much more serious. Here are a few reasons why prior convictions can make you more likely to face aggravated DUI charges.

  • Multiple prior convictions can result in harsher penalties if you're charged with an aggravated DUI. In many cases, getting convicted of multiple DUIs within a certain period of time will automatically lead to higher fines and longer jail or prison sentences.
  • Prior convictions can also affect how the court treats future offenses. For example, if you were previously convicted of reckless driving or another moving violation, a judge might be more inclined to hand down harsher penalties for an aggravated DUI.
  • Prior convictions can also make you a prime target for increased scrutiny from law enforcement and other officials. For example, if you were previously convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police may specifically look out for signs of impairment in your current case, such as weaving between lanes or failing to maintain your lane.
  • Finally, having prior DUI offenses on your record can result in additional consequences like license suspension or revocation. With some repeat offenders facing lifetime revoked licenses after multiple convictions, it's crucial to take any DUI charge seriously and seek legal advice as soon as possible.

 

High Blood Alcohol Concentration

When it comes to DUI charges in California, there are a number of factors that can contribute to an aggravated charge. At the top of this list is having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is significantly higher than the legal limit. In general, a BAC of 0.08% or above will result in an aggravated DUI charge.

Other common reasons for aggravated DUI charges include driving with a suspended license, refusing to take chemical tests such as breath or blood tests, and causing an accident while under the influence. Additionally, repeat offenders may be charged with aggravated DUIs if they have previous convictions on their record.

 

 

Having A Minor Passenger

If you are driving with a minor passenger in the car and get pulled over for a suspected DUI, you may be facing serious consequences. Here are four reasons why having a minor passenger can result in aggravated DUI charges, even if your BAC is within legal limits.

  • A minor passenger is more likely to be injured or killed in an accident involving drunk driving. This puts additional pressure on law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against DUI offenders with passengers.
  • A minor passenger makes it easier for law enforcement to prove that you were driving under the influence of alcohol since they are often willing to testify against you. This increases the chances of a conviction and could lead to harsher penalties.
  • Having a minor passenger puts an additional burden on your family, as they will likely need to deal with the fallout from an aggravated DUI conviction. This could mean serving jail time, paying large fines, or losing your driving privileges altogether.

 

Injuries And Deaths

As anyone who has been charged with a DUI in California knows, the penalties for these offenses can be quite severe. However, if you cause injuries or deaths while driving under the influence, you may be facing even more serious consequences. In fact, there are several reasons why aggravated DUI charges are often applied in these types of cases.

One reason that aggravated DUI charges may apply is if your actions resulted in serious bodily harm to others. This could include injuries that required hospitalization or extensive medical treatment, such as broken bones, concussions, burns, or lacerations. It could also include psychological trauma or damage to a victim's reproductive system or other organs.

In addition to causing injuries to others, you may also be charged with an aggravated DUI if your actions led to the death of another person. This could include causing a fatal car accident, struggling with a police officer and accidentally killing them, or driving under the influence while intoxicated and having a fatal overdose.

If you are convicted of an aggravated DUI in California, you could be facing some serious penalties. That's why it's important to have a strong defense and contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Contact us today and let us start fighting for your rights.

 

 

Do You Need a DUI Lawyer You Can Trust?

With Lynn Gorelick you don't have to face criminal charges alone. You will receive personal attention to your case. Ms. Gorelick will be the one to appear in court with you from beginning to end. Ms. Gorelick, herself, will be doing your DMV hearings. You will not be handed off to another attorney or associate. You deserve this kind of attention to your needs at this stressful time. Ms. Gorelick has represented people charged with DUI for over 38 years.  She has NEVER been a prosecutor who pursues convictions. She has only DEFENDED people accused of crimes. Contact us today for your consultation!

Disclaimer 

The materials available on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.  You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site without seeking legal or other professional advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments.  No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

 

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