California Driving Under the Influence
DRINKING AND DRIVING DONT MIX
The French view drinking and driving very differently than Americans. In the United States we say that drinking can affect your ability to drive. In France, they say that driving can affect your ability to drink. So in the United States, we avoid drinking so we can drive. In France, they avoid driving so they can drink.
Nevertheless, in both American and European societies, drinking and driving is common — many people get behind the wheel believing that they are perfectly safe to drive. The law doesn’t always agree. And even your first DUI arrest can have serious and expensive consequences.
The Bay Area Superior Courts and and the Northern California Counties are tough on suspected DUI Offenders.
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
Just because you did it does not mean you are guilty!
But not every DUI arrest has to lead to a DUI conviction. In fact, many people hire an attorney to represent them in their case. An experienced attorney can improve your chances of avoiding jail, keeping your license and in some cases even walk away with no DUI conviction at all.
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
5 Facts You Need to Know About your DUI Arrest in California
If you’ve been arrested for DUI, you need the assistance of an experienced attorney. The DUI process in California is complex, and the consequences are often far more serious than you would expect. Here are the three most important facts you need to know:
1. The $20,000 Price Tag
It’s shocking, but one DUI conviction in Northern California can cost you up to $20,000 or more — and that’s just for a first-time DUI. That estimate includes the increased insurance rates, the Court fines and fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can be imposed on a convicted DUI offender. This price tag alone is one of the biggest reasons to fight your DUI charge, even if you really did have a drink or two before driving.
2. The 10-Day Deadline
The California Department of Motor Vehicles will take away your license automatically if you don’t take action fast. From the date of your arrest, you have 10 days to request a hearing from the DMV, or your license will be automatically suspended. You can lose your driver's license even if you never get convicted!
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
3. The Jail Time
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.First-time DUI carries jail time in California! And for most people, this is the part they’re most worried about. First-offense DUI carries up to 6 months in jail, with a minimum 3 day sentence. However, the judge has the power to waive your jail time as part of your probation. A experienced and aggressive DUI lawyer will work from the start to get you through your DUI with no jail time at all if possible.
Just because you did it does not mean your are guilty!
4. The DUI Classes
Bay Area DUI Attorney in Walnut Creek
California requires that all persons convicted of DUI attend Drunk Driving School. For a first time DUI with a Blood Alchol less than 0.15 percent the mandatory class is 3 months duration. For a first time DUI with a Blood Alchol between 0.15 and .20 percent the mandatory class is 6 months duration. For a first time DUI with a Blood Alchol less over 0.20 percent the mandatory class is 9 months duration. These classes are expensive both in time and money. An experienced attorney will work to have the enhancements reduced or dropped.
Bay Area DUI Attorney in Danville
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
Bay Area DUI Attorney in Concord
5. The Impact your Commercial Driver's License
How does getting a DUI affect my Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?
California DUI law is very strict for commercial drivers. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you’re treated differently under the law. The two most important differences are:
First, you are considered to be under the influence if your blood alcohol level is only .04%. For all other drivers, it’s .08%.
Second, you are treated as a commercial driver even if you’re not in your commercial vehicle when arrested. The CDL rules apply at all times, in all vehicles.
A DUI will always result in having your CDL suspended in California. This means you will lose your job and be unable to work as a driver until your license is reinstated. That’s why it’s so important to fight your DUI charge from the beginning.
Call our office for your free 30 minute consultation.
925-229-4000
Just because you did it does NOT mean that you are GUILTY
California has a particularly complex DUI process. That’s because the DMV and the courts are both involved—even though the DMV is not a law enforcement agency.
We Fight for Your License
After your arrest, you have 10 days to request your hearing from the DMV, or you lose your license automatically.
Upon retaining our office to represent you, we will immediately request the hearing, and you will get to keep your license until the hearing date, but you still have to make a case. Get an knowledgeable and experienced attorney to handle the DMV for you.
The hearing itself will not take place for a while—often months. That means that if you win your criminal case in the meantime, you may never have to do the hearing at all.
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
Fighting Your Criminal Case
After your arrest you will have a hearing with a judge. This is where you officially enter your plea. It may be several months out after your arrest date. Get an attorney on board before your first hearing!
Your attorney will then go through an intense process of investigation, legal motions, and negotiation with the prosecutor. This may take weeks or months, and can last up until your trial date.
Your lawyer MAY be able to file motions to suppress any breath test/blood test evidence, or other evidence, depending on your case. This can be crucial to getting the charges dropped.
In some cases, your case will go to trial by jury. In many cases, however, a lawyer can negotiate a good outcome for you without the trial ever happening.
We are happy to fight for you. Call 925-229-4000 for a FREE consultation on your case.
No lawyer can guarantee an outcome. But an experienced attorney may be able to obtain a result that has:
NO jail time
NO license suspension
LOWER fines
LESS serious charge—not DUI
AND IN SOME CASES -- NO CONVICTION AT ALL
Just because you did it ..does not mean that you are guilty.
The DUI Process in Northern California
California has a particularly complex DUI process. That’s because the DMV and the courts are both involved—even though the DMV is not a law enforcement agency.
We Fight for Your License
After your arrest, you have 10 days to request your hearing from the DMV, or you lose your license automatically.
Upon retaining our office , we will request the hearing, you will get to keep your license until the hearing date, but you still have to make a case. Get an knowledgeable and experienced attorney to handle the DMV for you.
The hearing itself will not take place for a while—often months. That means that if you win your criminal case in the meantime, you may never have to do the hearing at all.
Fighting Your Criminal Case
After your arrest you will have a hearing with a judge. This is where you officially enter your plea. It may be several months out after your arrest date. Get an attorney on board before your first hearing!
Your attorney will then go through an intense process of investigation, legal motions, and negotiation with the prosecutor. This may take weeks or months, and can last up until your trial date.
Your lawyer MAY be able to file motions to suppress any breath test/blood test evidence, or other evidence, depending on your case. This can be crucial to getting the charges dropped.
In some cases, your case will go to trial by jury. In many cases, however, a lawyer can negotiate a good outcome for you without the trial ever happening.
No lawyer can guarantee an outcome. But an experienced attorney may be able to obtain a result that has:
NO jail time
NO license suspension
LOWER fines
LESS serious charge—not DUI
AND IN SOME CASES -- NO CONVICTION AT ALL