Clients often want their cases to be over as soon as possible. I always tell them the same thing: Over and over right are two very different things.
I find that the “average” California DUI case takes between three to six months to resolve. Some cases take less, some take more time. Here are some of the factors that can affect a DUI case.
Was it a felony or misdemeanor DUI case? Approximately 95 percent of all misdemeanor DUI cases resolve prior to trial. This is by way of plea, dismissal, or some other type of settlement. This could include Military Diversion as well. Misdemeanor DUI cases rarely go to trial, and trial can significantly increase the length of a case.
Due to their severity, felony DUI cases normally require more investigation, research and time dedicated to reaching a satisfactory resolution. If a DUI case causes any damage, injuries, or deaths, expect your case to take longer. And, the more serious the case, the more serious the potential consequences. More serious potential consequences often means more investigation, possibly expert witness and maybe even a jury trial. This could add weeks and even months to the time it takes to resolve a complicated case.
Are there court backlogs? If the courts are busy, and a lot of the time they are, this can cause delay in your case being resolved or tried. This issue becomes more apparent depending on where you live. If you get arrested in Chatsworth and your case gets sent to the San Fernando Courthouse, expect for there to be a longer wait or delay in scheduling your case. Were as, if you got arrested in Thousand Oaks and have to report to the Ventura Courthouse, expect the process to be much more smoother and quicker. Van Nuys represents a denser area and represents more people than the Ventura courthouse so expect the process to be longer.
Do you have any prior convictions? Was this your first DUI? The case becomes more complicated if you have priors or have had another DUI in the past 10 years. When you have three prior DUIs, your fourth automatically becomes a felony, which of course, would lengthen the process. Likewise, if you have a prior felony DUI, any subsequent DUI is a felony for the next ten years.
Did your case involve blood testing or other chemical tests? Did you case involve a serious traffic collision or serious injuries to other people? These factors could give rise to delay in filing the case as well as delay in resolving or trying the case.
All cases are different and there are multiple variables that play important factors on the length of your case. It is important to hire a great criminal defense lawyer that has a good understanding of local and state law, connections with the courts, and general understanding and experience with DUI cases.
Being arrested for DUI can cause all types of issues at home, work, and within your social circle. However, it is vital that you don’t let these pressures overcome your ability to get the best results. Sometimes the plea can be beneficial but it is always important to fully investigate your case. Cooperate with your lawyer and help them to help you achieve the best outcome in your DUI case
If you have questions about a DUI case for you or a loved one, talk to an experienced defense attorney about your case. C all me:
Attorney Jeffrey Vallens (818) 783-5700 or (888) 764-4340 or
Email me at: vallenslaw@yahoo.com
Visit my sites: www.4criminaldefense.com or www.westlakecriminaldefense.com