One of the first questions people have when they are arrested for a Costa Mesa DUI is whether they need a Costa Mesa DUI attorney or can they just go to court and represent themselves pro-se.  A DUI is a serious criminal offense, lobby groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving have been very successful in their lobbying efforts.  Penalties have become harsher each and every year.  In addition, it has increasingly more common for first time offenders to do some jail time in county jail.

The maximum jail time for a first offense Costa Mesa DUI is six months imprisonment and if you are a first time offender it can be applied to you.  Without an attorney you will go into court representing yourself against an experienced district attorney who knows the intricacies of DUI law and local court procedure.  It is the district attorney job to get convictions and to maximize penalties.  Politically it has become popular to prosecute DUI offenders to the fullest extent of the law as dangerous offenses that threaten public safety and causes loss of life.

For someone inexperienced with DUI charges, the court process can be difficult and confusing.  A  Costa Mesa DUI attorney has experience representing you and your actions in a light most favorable to you.  A simple call or email to a Costa Mesa DUI lawyer can get you competent effective representation immediately.