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Search for California DUI
Attorneys by County.
Visalia, Vista, Walnut Creek, Westminster, Whittier, Willits, Woodland Hills DUI Lawyers
Visalia
- Benjamin Greene:
Many criminal cases can be resolved through negotiations between an experienced criminal lawyer and a reasonable prosecutor. But not all cases can or should be resolved in that manner. Experience in pre-trial motion practice, suppression hearings and jury trials are important to the effective defense of a person charged with having committed a crime.
Vista
- Peter
Liss:
A charge of driving under the influence is really two charges:
"driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (or both)"
and "driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher."
The penalties are the same for both offenses. A conviction on either
offense counts as two points against your negligent operator count at
the DMV, and your car insurance will increase. The punishment for each
subsequent DUI is more severe and can include large fines and jail or
prison time. If you are convicted of DUI, your sentence is
increased if you were excessively speeding (either more than 100 mph,
or more than 30 mph over the speed limit) at the time of the DUI, or
had a child under age 14 in the car at the time of the DUI, or had a
blood-alcohol reading over .20%, or had a previous conviction within 7
years, or refused to take a blood alcohol or Breathalyzer test. A
carefully negotiated plea-bargain may let you avoid a sentence
increase.
- Michael J. Fremont:
Being arrested for Drug offenses or other DUI offenses does not have to
be a devastating experience. Even though a suspension or revocation of
your drivers license and being convicted of a DUI or Drug offense can
lead to loss of employment, increase or cancellation of auto insurance,
jail and loss of reputation, many DUI and Drug cases can be
successfully defended in court and DMV hearings by an experienced
attorney!
- Joel W. Bailey:
Being arrested for Driving under the Influence (DUI) is humiliating,
inconvenient, and expensive. Having the right attorney handle your case
can make a world of difference.
- Jay
Finnecy:
DWI/DUI means "driving while intoxicated" or "driving while under the
influence" and refers to the crime of drunk driving. This crime
usually includes driving while abusing drugs and the operation of other
kinds of motorized vehicles, such as boats. Drunk driving is defined
by each state's criminal code.
- James Dicks:
he crime of drunk driving is generally defined in two ways: (1) having a blood alcohol content above the limit set by law, or (2) driving under the influence of alcohol. To find a person guilty under the first definition, a jury (or judge) must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the person's blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeded a certain amount. In most states the legal limit is .08 percent. Therefore, if it is proved that the person's BAC at the time of the incident was .08 percent or greater, he or she can be convicted of drunk driving, regardless of how much alcohol was actually consumed. As a practical matter, one drink would almost certainly not lead to a BAC of .08 percent or greater; generally, a person needs to have five drinks in an hour to develop a BAC of .08 percent. However, if there was something unique about the person or the drink, or other circumstance, one drink could raise the BAC above the legal limit.
In contrast, the second definition does not refer to any particular BAC. It focuses on the driving behavior of the person; if it is impaired by the person's consumption of alcohol, he or she can be found guilty of drunk driving. Instead of presenting evidence of the BAC to a jury, the prosecution seeking a conviction under this definition generally presents testimony about the person's driving and consumption of alcohol. A police officer will often describe the impaired driving that lead him to pull the person over and the person's ability (or lack thereof) to perform field sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line. Evidence is also usually presented concerning the person's consumption of alcohol and if the jury then concludes that the prosecution has met its burden of proof, it will convict the person of drunk driving. A susceptible person may exhibit impaired driving after one drink and therefore be convicted of drunk driving.
Walnut Creek
- Thomas McKenna:
Even the most chronic or hardened inmates have basic rights that are protected by the U.S. Constitution. If you are facing incarceration, you should know your rights. If you have a family member or friend who is in prison or jail, you should know what their rights are, as well.
- Larkin Law Firm:
DUI/DWI charges are much more than a mere traffic violation and should be taken seriously. It is essential that you choose an attorney to represent you, who has experience with DUI/DWI law in your particular state. You should ask potential attorneys about their background in this area of the law and about their outcomes in representing clients charged with drunk driving. Be curious, ask lots of questions, and make an informed decision. Challenging drunk driving charges is never easy, but an experienced attorney will recognize and address the weaknesses in the case against you.
- Blackie Burak:
When you have been charged with driving while intoxicated, you face possible revocation of your driving privileges, increases or loss in auto insurance, fines, and possible jail time. Additionally, it is important that you protect your reputation while preserving your rights, regardless of the offense.
- John Meaden:
DUI is shorthand for "Driving Under the Influence." A person is guilty
of DUI if he or she drives or is in actual physical control of a motor
vehicle and is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any
chemical or controlled substance to the extent that his or her mental
faculties are impaired or when his or her blood alcohol level (BAC) is
above the legal limit for the state.
Westminster
- Jerome
Goldfein:
Matters involving Driving Under the Influence involves both Court
appearances through the State of California as well as Administrative
Hearing through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Time is of the
essence in this type of matter. If you have been charged with Driving
under the Influence, you should contact an attorney immediately.
Whittier
- Charles Hill:
Arrests for DUI will result in two separate cases. First a DMV Per Se
hearing must be requested within ten days of arrest or your right to a
hearing may be waived and your driving privilege may be suspended or
revoked. Secondly, a criminal case will be prosecuted against you which
can result in fines, community service and/or jail time. A conviction
for either charge can remain on your record for seven years; any future
arrests for DUI within that period will result in the suspension of
your license and mandatory jail time. If you have been arrested for
driving under the influence, you should contact a competent and
qualified attorney immediately to protect your rights.
Willits - Linda
McNiel:
Contact DMV Driver Safety in San Francisco within 10 days of your
arrest at 415-557-1170 or 1173. Request an administrative hearing to
challenge your impending license suspension. If you do not do this, you
will give up your right to a hearing. Note the time and date you called
and the worker's name. Or, you can contact an attorney who will do this
for you.
Woodland Hills - Glen
Fleetwood: What is the key to beating a DUI arrest? There are
hundreds of factors that affect a person's chance of getting "off" or a
"deal".
- Melcher, Melcher & Melcher:
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE cases require special knowledge not only of
the complex sentencing requirements, but also of the scientific
evidence involved in each case. We can challenge the reason why you
were pulled over and the results of any field sobriety or chemical
tests you submitted to. Since these cases involve significant
penalties, you have to make sure your case is properly defended.
- Lawrence Taylor
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