Federal DUI Charges in San Diego, California
A crime is considered a federal criminal offense when it is committed on federal land or property. If you are arrested for DUI while driving on airport property, in government building parking lots such as the post office or FBI compound, in a courthouse driveway or parking lot, or while visiting a National Park, Monument or Military Base, your DUI arrest will most likely be charged as a federal class B misdemeanor DUI offense, so long as no DUI Penalty Enhancements or aggravating factors existed surrounding your arrest, and it is your first or second offense alcohol and driving related offense within ten years.
Prosecution of Federal DUI Cases
The Government, and law enforcement in particular, utilize their full spectrum of resources in the pursuit of prosecuting DUI crimes committed on Federal property.
As in a DUI case heard in State Court, the Federal drunk driving court proceeding will open with an arraignment hearing, or first appearance. At the arraignment hearing, you will be asked to enter a plea. Your plea options will be "not guilty", "guilty", "nolo contendre".
In many cases, a favorable or agreeable plea bargain can be arranged during or after the first arraignment hearing, which at times provides an opportunity to closer evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of the prosecution's actual evidence and facts, and their preparedness to move forward with a Jury Trial.
Federal DUI Punishment
The United States Government punishes Class B Misdemeanor crimes by sentencing the offender to up to a six month sentence confined to a Federal penitentiary, a financial penalty of up to $5,000, and up to five years of assigned probation.
Should exacerbating circumstances exist surrounding your Federal DUI arrest, additional fines and penalties could apply in some cases. In the event you refused to consent to a chemical breath or blood test, were driving under the influence with a minor passenger under the age of 14 years, or driving recklessly, etc. the consequential punishment could increase significantly.
G. Cole Casey is THE top DUI Defense Lawyer in San Diego County. His practice is dedicated exclusively to the defense of persons charged with DUI, DWI and Drunk Driving in Southern California.
Call us twenty-four hours a day at 619.237.0384 or send us an email now to discuss an aggressive and legitimate defense strategy for your DUI case.