Navigating DUI CAUSING INJURY Charges in Los Angeles County

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law in every state. In California, drivers whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level exceeds the legal limit of 0.08 percent can face criminal charges, punishable by potential jail time, costly fines, and administrative consequences (i.e., the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license). Since intoxicated driving is inherently more risky to public safety, as alcohol impairs a person’s reaction time, perception, and ability to respond to potential hazards, a driver can be arrested, charged, and even convicted of a DUI offense—even if their actions did not cause property damage, injuries, or fatalities. However, California Vehicle Code 23153 makes it a crime for someone under the influence of alcohol to drive a vehicle and, as a result of this negligent act, causes physical harm to someone else. The DUI penalties in California depend on the specific factors of the case, which means that a DUI causing bodily injury may be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony offense. 

If you are facing driving-related charges like felony hit and run, driving under the influence of alcohol, or DUI causing bodily injury in Palmdale, Lancaster, or Los Angeles County, you need aggressive and effective criminal defense attorney services right away to ensure that your constitutional and legal rights remain protected and upheld at all times. With over 35 years of experience, FORMER DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY and CERTIFIED CRIMINAL LAW SPECIALIST David M. Wallin and his team of excellent attorneys (one of whom is also a former deputy district attorney), are ready to fight hard on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome given the specific circumstances of your case. Call our office as soon as possible for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your legal options. We offer PAYMENT PLANS, so contact us as soon as possible so we can get to work finding the best solution for you. 

Understanding DUI Causing Injury Charges in Lancaster

It’s helpful to review the specific language set forth in California Vehicle Code 23153 to better understand how DUI causing injury crimes are prosecuted in Palmdale, Lancaster, and Los Angeles County. The statute reads, “(a) It is unlawful for a person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, to drive a vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver.” In other words, a driver whose BAC is within the legal limit (0.08 percent) may face criminal charges for operating a vehicle and breaking traffic laws (i.e., running a red light). Essentially, prosecutors must show that the defendant was not able to drive with the caution of a sober driver, and that this failure led to another person’s injury. The statute proceeds to clarify that drivers with BACs of 0.08 percent or higher are also criminally liable when their negligence or disregard for the law causes physical harm to another person. Simply put, prosecutors must prove that your act of negligence (driving while intoxicated) caused an injury to another person as a result. 

What Are the Penalties For DUI Causing Injury in California?

Offenses like DUI causing injury are often referred to as “wobbler” offenses, which means that prosecutors may pursue misdemeanor or felony charges against the defendant. Generally speaking, a misdemeanor DUI causing injury conviction may be punishable by up to one year in county jail, up to $5,000 in fines, mandatory participation in alcohol or drug treatment, and the suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license. Felony crimes, in contrast, tend to carry more substantial and lasting penalties, including a prison term of up to four years, a fine of up to $5,000, mandatory attendance at a court-approved DUI education program, the revocation of your driver’s license, or even paying restitution to the victim. Other considerations, such as whether the victim suffered “great” bodily injury, or if there were multiple injured victims harmed by your DUI incident, can also lead to more severe penalties or sentencing enhancements. 

Exploring Possible DUI Defense Strategies 

Just because you are facing a DUI charge does not mean that you are automatically guilty. As the defendant, you have the right to an attorney and to be viewed as innocent until proven guilty. When you meet with FORMER DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY and CERTIFIED CRIMINAL LAW SPECIALIST David M. Wallin or one of our highly experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys, we will help you explore various defense strategies that can seek to lessen, reduce, or even dismiss the charges against you. For instance, we may be able to argue that the arresting officer violated your constitutional rights in some way, which can invalidate the charges you’re facing. Or, we can work with expert witnesses to show that the field sobriety or breath tests were flawed or unreliable, giving inaccurate results. No matter what strategy we decide to use, you can trust that our new team of top-quality attorneys (two of which are FORMER DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS) are fully prepared to advocate for your best interests and exercise your legal rights at all times.

Get Started With Palmdale’s Go-To DUI Defense Law Firm Today

When your future is up in the air, you need to trust that you have a dedicated and highly qualified legal expert on your side. Our Lancaster and Palmdale criminal defense law practice is led by a defense attorney who is a FORMER PROSECUTOR, FORMER JUDGE PRO TEM, and one of the few CERTIFIED CRIMINAL LAW SPECIALISTS in California. You can trust that we have the tools and experience necessary to assist you. 

At The Law Offices of David M. Wallin, we believe in providing top-tier criminal defense attorney services to every client we serve. FORMER DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY and CERTIFIED CRIMINAL LAW SPECIALIST David M. Wallin leverages his more than 35 years of legal experience to secure fair and just outcomes for the clients he serves. If you are facing criminal charges in the Palmdale or Lancaster area, call our office today at (661) 267-1313 for a FREE CONSULTATION with a member of our excellent team of highly qualified attorneys. We offer payment plans, so contact us today to get started.