There are many ways to successfully challenge a DUI charge, but the laws are complicated and confusing. It is unfortunate but true that without an experienced DUI lawyer in Orange County, you are likely to find yourself in a battle that you simply cannot win.
Following your DUI arrest, you will be issued a 30-day temporary license to drive. Within that 30-day period, you may have the option to install an ignition interlock device (IID) and retain your driving privileges. Most drivers will be eligible to install this device, but some are not (e.g. under age 21 driver, driver who refused to submit to chemical testing.) You also have the option to request a DMV administrative per se (APS) hearing to contest the arrest. If you do not install an IID or request a DMV hearing, your license will be automatically suspended after the 30-day temporary license period. Note that an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs does not offer the IID option.
It is very important to consult with legal counsel as soon as possible after your DUI arrest for a review of your options. Time is of the essence since the DMV only affords ten calendar days to request a DMV hearing. Mr. Weinberg, with years of experience defending DUI arrests, will assess the details of your arrest quickly and efficiently and advise you of your options. There are several steps he will take to protect your driving privilege and keep you on the road pending the outcome of your case.
But before we get to that, there are some general facts you must know about DUI law in California. Knowing these facts will help you understand why it is crucial to hire the right lawyer right away.
Basic California DUI LawIf you are over the age of 21, it is a crime to drive a car in California if your blood-alcohol concentration, or BAC, is a .08 or higher. It is also illegal to drive a car while under the influence of drugs, even prescription drugs if those drugs affect your ability to drive. These laws all fall under the many "driving under the influence" code sections found in the California Vehicle and Penal Codes. Under California law, there is no "good under the influence driver." Even if you feel perfectly sober and are certain you can drive without impairment, if your BAC is above .08% (or you are under the influence of drugs), you will be charged with a DUI.
All too often, a driver gets behind the wheel after "only a couple of drinks," thinking he or she is perfectly capable of driving. Perhaps that driver is driving in an apparent safe manner and violating no vehicle codes, but suddenly is rear-ended by another car. A police officer is cruising by, stops at the collision and smells the slight odor of alcohol on the driver's breath. Or consider the example of "Dave Defendant" who just left a promotion party in his honor, feeling only a little "buzzed."
DUI Charges and SentencingEven a first-offense DUI can lead to costly and inconvenient consequences. If convicted (or even if you are not convicted but you "lose" at the DMV hearing), you will be required to install an IID or your license will be suspended for a period of time. Furthermore, when convicted on a first-offense DUI, the Court will order that you attend DUI-awareness programs and/or classes. You will also be placed on probation and face considerable financial expense in the way of fines, fees, penalties, and increased insurance costs.
In California, a subsequent DUI within 10 years of a prior DUI is considered a "priorable" offense, with increased punishment. First, second and third DUIs are usually charged as a misdemeanor but subsequent DUIs, or DUIs with injuries (or death) to another party, can be, and often are, charged as felonies.
The laws regarding sentencing for driving under the influence are complex and confusing. You can read more information on DUI sentencing here. An experienced DUI attorney in Orange County will help you wade through the tangle of laws that affect you and your particular circumstances.
DUI CheckpointsThe United States Supreme Court in its 1990 decision, Michigan Dept. of State Police vs. Stitz, held that the government's interest in protecting citizens outweighed the violation of the driver's Fourth Amendment rights to be free from an unreasonable search and seizure implicated by a sobriety checkpoint.
If you are arrested for driving under the influence at a checkpoint, there are additional defenses that might be available to you as California law has established specific guidelines for sobriety checkpoints. If these guidelines were violated by the police, the DUI arrest can be challenged on those violations. If you were arrested at a checkpoint, please visit the checkpoint page for more information.
Orange County DUI Defense Attorney William Weinberg can Help!Attorney Weinberg has successfully defended hundreds of clients charged with DUI. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, Contact Mr. Weinberg at any time to set up a confidential consultation without charge. He will work with you and your family to setup a fee structure that best suits your circumstances. Orange County DUI lawyer William M. Weinberg will turn over every fact to find your defense. You'll have the confidence that you chose the right lawyer to fight your case.