Orange County- Newport Beach resident Richard Swanson is facing DUI and hit and run charges. It is alleged that Swanson was driving down Pacific Coast Highway when he hit someone and left. The 21 year old victim was rushed to the hospital and is expected to be fine. Police caught Swanson driving home in Newport Beach. He is charged with a felony DUI and hit and run with injury or death. He pleaded not guilty.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a serious offense. The offense becomes more serious one someone is injured. In California a DUI with an injury or death is considered a "wobbler". Whether it is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on two things:
1. What the circumstances are of the individual case
2. And whether you have had a DUI before and how long ago was it.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with injury can be defined in the California Vehicle Code 23153(a). It states it is unlawful for any person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, 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. If convicted of a felony a person could face fines, restitution, and prison sentences.
Having a Newport Beach DUI attorney is imperative to defending a DUI charge. Since this charge is considered a "wobbler", it is important to hire an experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney that will help you defend your felony charge.
Why is it so important to hire a Newport Beach DUI defense attorney or an experienced Irvine criminal defense attorney to help you defend you DUI charge?
Many people charged with a DUI do not realize how serious this charge can be. If a person has had more than one DUI in the past 10 years, the punishments can be harsher for you. If charged with a misdemeanor DUI the punishments could be probation, fines, a DUI education program, and up to one year in county jail. However if you are convicted of a felony DUI a person can face up to 4 years in prison, fines and license suspension if there was an injury as a result of the DUI. At the Law Office of Michael Guisti we have spent years representing clients facing DUI charges in Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County and San Bernardino County.
If you or a loved on is facing a DUI charges or any other misdemeanor or felony charge like assault, battery, domestic violence, murder, sex crime charges, or if you have committed a white collar crime call us today. Contact our experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney toll free at 1-888-478-8999 or visit our website at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.
