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I Am Charged With My First DUI Offense – What Should I Do? Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers

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I Am Charged With My First DUI Offense – What Should I Do?

Summary: This page covers Potential DUI Charges, Getting Booked And Going To Court, Hire a Good Attorney.

So you just got your first DUI offense. You are stressed and upset and wondering what to do next. This is a situation that you have never dealt with before. 

Having never been arrested for DUI before, this situation must seem quite scary. While you think about what consequences you ma be facing for the offense, you know you need to get accurate information and to put together a plan to set your mind ease. That is exactly our job as Orange County DUI lawyers.

To help you through this stressful situation, we’ve laid out the basic information for what you know about getting you first DUI offense. 

Potential DUI Charges

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

You may be charged with this section if you have an amount of alcohol in your system that impaired your driving. An officer may assume you are guilty of this charge if your driving pattern suggested impairment.

Driving with a .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration or Above

You may be charged with this section if you consumed an amount of alcohol to put you over the legal limit. This may be determined through a breath test or blood analysis.

Driving Under the Influence of a Drug

Be it a prescription or illegal drug, you may be charged under this section if your use of a drug impaired your ability to drive.

The punishment for the charge you face variers based on whether the crime was charged with a misdemeanor. While most DUI offenses are filed as misdemeanors, they may be filed as a felony if a person was injured in an accident as a result of a DUI and that injury was serious. You may also be facing additional punishment if you have prior DUIs on your record. The court and DMV will require you to do alcohol education and install and IID device in your vehicle.

Our job your attorney is to evaluate the evidence and help you either fight your case or get the best possible deal. After we analyze the police report, any audio and any video, we will advise you about all of the possible consequences.

DUI Arrests and How To Handle Them

Now that we understand DUI offenses and their severity, let’s look at how to properly handle them.

Getting Booked And Going To Court

After being arrested, the police will book you and either release you on your recognizance or set bail that you can post to be released. The booking process documents that you were there. Many clients reach out to us at this step or after they are released from jail.

Regardless of bail, you will still have to go to court. The court will set a date for the DUI hearing. It is important to request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the arrest to preserve that right.

Hire a Good Attorney

It is critical that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who has handled DUI cases in the past. Make sure it is someone specialized in handling DUI cases and is sympathetic to your cause. It is important to understand that having the right attorney by your side can make or break your case. 

When deciding on an attorney, be sure to check referrals and success rates based on a first time DUI cases. Hire someone who shows confidence and has an effective defensive strategy against the court of law. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get a lenient sentence or even get the charges dropped completely for first time DUI offenders. All you need is the right attorney by your side.

You may be facing fines and programs

Along with jail time or probation periods, you may be facing fines ranging from $1800 and above, depending on the severity of the DUI. Those who plead guilty or are convicted will be ordered to attend classes.

These programs address the risks of abuse of alcohol and cover the dangers of drunk driving. They are mandated by the state legislature. Occasionally, a court will agree to vacate a program for an individual who chooses not to drive in the future.

Our job as your Orange County DUI lawyer is to help you every step of the way.

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Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

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Hear From Our Clients

Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

Lauren Johnson-Norris is extremely knowledgeable in family court. She communicates with you as a client and is realistic in your options and outcomes. She helped us get our kids returned to us and sort through the maze of dependency court and social services.

Karen I., a Juvenile client

Ms. Johnson-Norris is an aggressive, professional and effective attorney. Thank you for your legal assistance. Her follow-through is to be commended, and she always returns phone calls and quickly replies to email. The outcome would not have been the same without Ms. Johnson-Norris as my attorney. I would highly recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris to friends and family in need of legal advice. Thank you!

M.B., a Family client

Ms. Johnson-Norris has been a ‘guardian angel’ in our case from the first second we spoke. She’s dedicated such intense time and detail into making sure everything is handled perfectly. Our case has not been finished (yet), and we’re just in the initial stages, but we are already extremely confident in her abilities. Our case is extremely sensitive in nature, but Ms. Johnson-Norris has shown compassion, composure, and extensive knowledge, which is always super comforting. I can say with certainty that Ms. Johnson-Norris will handle our legal needs from the beginning to the end. Also, Ms. Johnson-Norris is really easy to get ahold of. She returns phone calls and/or emails very quickly, which is also a very comforting factor, and something I wanted to point out about her.

Jill, a Juvenile client

Lauren Johnson-Norris was not only responsive, she was compassionate and reasonably priced. I would highly recommend her. She negotiated with the district attorney and brought the case to a win/win.

Shannon, a Criminal Defense client

Lauren Johnson-Norris was amazing. She explained everything in ways that were easily understood, & answered all of my questions. She was respectful, but also open & honest. She started work on my case the first day we met & got results quickly. She demonstrated passion, concern, and showed true feeling for my situation. My expectations were greatly exceeded. I would say she has an incredible attention for detail, & has a real dedication to her work. Lauren Johnson-Norris would be my first recommendation to any of my family or friends similarly in need of legal assistance.

Heather, a Juvenile client

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Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

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Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

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