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Anaheim, Aptos, Bakersfield, Berkeley, Brea, Beverly Hills DUI Lawyers

  • Anaheim
    • Wigand, Gary: If you are convicted of a D.U.I., can you get a Restricted Commercial Drivers License for work Ð The answer is ÒNo.Ó Notwithstanding the Criminal CourtÕs Charges, the DMV has stringent time constraints for requesting an Admin Per Se Hearing. If you fail to comply with the time limits your Driving Privilege will be Suspended and/or Revoked without a Hearing. During the past 32 years we have represented 100s of Commercial Drivers for D.U.I and related charges both, at the DMV and Criminal Courts throughout Southern California. We utilize Expert Forensic Criminalists to analyze the ProsecutionÕs Blood and Urine samples and evidence, and Breath Results to protect your rights. Do not plead ÒGuilty.Ó
    • Nicastro Piscopo: A California criminal charge or conviction can cause serious immigration problems for people with temporary or permanent resident (green card) status in the United States. Many immigrants are unaware that they may face both criminal and immigration courts after an arrest. They then secure representation from a California attorney who cannot foresee the effects the criminal charges may have on immigration status.
    • Joseph Alliberti: It is important to retain a law firm immediately to possibly preserve evidence, oppose the actions of the DMV, request a stay on any suspensions of the drivers license by the DMV, set up a hearing, obtain the proper experts, run or own tests, and attempt every possible defense to save the license, reduce or avoid any jail time and ensure the clients rights are protected.
  • Anaheim Hills
    • Danielle Augustin: A cultural stigma has become associated with drunk driving that was not present in our society even a decade ago. Public perception categorizes people charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) as criminals, even before they have been convicted of any crime. Being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be an unsettling proposition, to say the least. A DUI - DWI conviction in California carries with it heavy penalties ...
  • Arcadia
    • Vincent Davis: In California, the Òthree strikesÓ law means that even a misdemeanor crime, on top of two previous felony convictions, can result in a minimum sentence of 25 years to life. Whether your offense is your first or your third, you need the representation of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
  • Bakersfield:
    • Kleier, Loren: local, state and federal laws that could all affect your case
    • Kyle Humphrey: When you are arrested, you are taken into custody. This means that you are not free to leave the scene. Without being arrested you can be detained or held for questioning for a short time if a police officer or other person believes you may be involved in a crime. Whether you are arrested or detained, you do not have to answer any questions except to give your name and address and show some identification if requested
    • H. A. Sala: The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively entitled the Bill of Rights and contain limitations on the power of government. The Fourth Amendment limits government's power to invade privacy. It reads as follows: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized."
    • George Boyle: You should never try to represent yourself or appear and just plead guilty to an alcohol related offense, even if it's your first. You could be sentenced to jail, ordered to pay a large fine, and subjected to other penalties which, under certain circumstances, could include the loss and sale of your motor vehicle and/or a prison sentence. Additionally, some violations are now a "strike" under the 3-strikes law.
    • Richard Middlebrook: You can represent yourself -- although it is not a good idea. "Drunk driving" is a very complex field with increasingly harsh consequences. There is a minefield of complicated procedural, evidentiary, constitutional, sentencing and administrative license issues.
    • Joe Whittington: Pleading to a DUI will cost you money over hiring an attorney who dedicates himself to defending those accused of a DUI. The price of pleading is increasing every year (approximately $6,000 to $9,000) depending on where you plead.

      The potential defenses in any given drunk driving case are almost limitless. Some defenses include the driving, probable cause, miranda warnings, implied consent warnings, under-the-influence, blood alcohol concentration, testing procedures, and retrograde extrapolation.

  • Berkeley
    • Elena Condes: Criminal convictions can have consequences that affect your immigration status, right to vote, own firearms, obtain or renew professional licenses, or travel outside of the United States. You can petition the Court to relieve you of some or all of the penalties of your conviction... ...handles expungements, certificates of rehabilitation, requests for pardon, and motions to seal and destroy records.
    • Kimberly Kupferer: The Department of Motor Vehicles normally takes action such as suspending or revoking a driving privilege once as person has been arrested for a drunk driving or is accused of being a negligent operator. The DMV action is completely separate from the criminal case that is filed based on the same conduct. In order to successfully maintain your privilege to drive, you must prevail at both a DMV Administrative Per Se Hearing and in the criminal court.
    • Seth P. Chazin: A corner-stone of ... strategic defense is to employ the services of a forensic toxicologist to analyze the many technical aspects of a DUI or Drunk-driving case.
  • Brea
    • Dolan Law Offices: Two Government agencies are generally involved in DUI cases... the DMV and the Courts. Each has its own jurisdiction and process.
  • Beverly Hills
    • Shkolnikov, John: Anyone charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs should consult with an attorney who specializes in defending drunk driving cases.
    • Piper Law Firm: Why Should I Hire an Attorney? That is a question we frequently encounter.ÊÊ There are a number of reasons to hire a lawyer: You do not want to be convicted and you do not want to go to jail.Ê If you have been charged with a crime, you are in serious trouble.Ê You need professional help to make sure the criminal matter impacts your life as little as possible. The California criminal justice system can be deceptively complex and full of numerous rules that are often difficult to understand.Ê For instance, the judge is allowed to hear theÊDefendant's version of events in only certain contexts and for only certain reasons.Ê Not knowing when and where to present your side of the story can prevent you from ever telling your side of the story. Further,Êthe accusedÊoften find themselves in more trouble than what they first thought. For instance, California has a number of criminal offenses that are called Òwobblers.Ó A wobbler is a crime that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor.Ê There are also rules that allow prosecutors to increase or enhance the charges.Ê AsÊa result,Êan arrest for a seemingly petty offense canÊresultÊin a sentence ofÊseveral years in a California prison. Hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference in a criminal case.Ê A lawyer who is confident, knowledgeable and is willing to take the time to explain your options is ideal for a criminal matter.Ê A criminal conviction can haunt a person for many years to come, therefore it is important to know the options and receive the proper guidance before deciding on a course of action.Ê This includes pleading guilty.Ê Therefore, even those who desire to plead guilty can find the services of a lawyer beneficial. The Public Defender or court appointed counsel is no substitute for a lawyer you hire and who works for you, not a government bureaucracy.ÊÊÊCourt provided legal servicesÊare meant for the poorest members of our society.Ê If the court discovers you have assets, or can afford an attorney, the court could make you pay for the services you receive.ÊÊ In addition, the Public Defender Offices are often too overworked to pay special attention to any one particular case.Ê Therefore, your case may not get the right amount of attention it deserves in order to get the best result. ManyÊpeople do not hire an attorney because they have misconceptions about what will happen in court.Ê Highly publicized cases, television programs and pop-culture create a swirl of mis-information.Ê Going into a police interview room or courtroom without knowing what your rights and responsibilitiesÊtruly are, could lead to significant trouble later on.Ê The earlier youÊhave an attorney involvedÊin your case, the better off you will be. TheÊattorney you hireÊshould be competent, professional and someone you feel comfortable speaking with.Ê After all, the lawyer is the person to whom you will be entrusting an entire aspect of your life.Ê Therefore, you should know your lawyer.Ê Get to know the lawyer you want to hire.Ê Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with this person in control of a certain aspect of your life.Ê See if this person is confident and is willing to take the time to answer all your questions. Contacting an attorney is an important first step in resolving your case and putting an end to your criminal matter.
    • Robert M. Bernstein: A misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to one year in the county jail. Misdemeanors are only dealt with in the Municipal Court level. After successful completion of a probationary period, a misdemeanor can be expunged from your record.
    • Southern California DUI Defense: The DMV suspension or revocation is an administrative action taken against your driving privilege only. The suspension or revocation following a conviction in court is a mandatory action for which jail, fine, or other criminal penalty can be imposed.
    • Jeffrey Sklan: A confession must be voluntary in order to be admitted into evidence in a criminal proceeding. When a person makes a confession, he or she is waiving his or her right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The person may also be waiving his or her right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
    • Jay Jaffe: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
    • Brent Merritt:

      Police typically use three methods of determining whether a driver has had too much to be driving:

      • Observation. A police officer will pull you over if he notices that you are driving erratically -- swerving, speeding, failing to stop or even driving too slowly. Of course, you may have a good explanation for your driving (tiredness, for example), but an officer is unlikely to buy your story if he smells alcohol on your breath or notices slurred words or unsteady movements.

      • Sobriety tests. If an officer suspects that you are under the influence, he will probably ask you to get out of the car and perform a series of balance and speech tests, such as standing on one leg, walking a straight line heel-to-toe or reciting a line of letters or numbers. The officer will look closely at your eyes, checking for pupil enlargement or constriction, which can be evidence of intoxication. If you fail these tests, the officer may arrest you or ask you to take a chemical test.

      • Blood-alcohol level. The amount of alcohol in your body is understood by measuring the amount of alcohol in your blood. This measurement can be taken directly, by drawing a sample of your blood, or it can be calculated by applying a mathematical formula to the amount of alcohol in your breath or urine. Some states give you a choice of whether to take a breath, blood or urine test -- others do not. If you test at or above the level of intoxication for your state (.08 to .10 % blood-alcohol concentration, depending on the state), you are presumed to be driving under the influence unless you can convince a judge or jury that your judgment was not impaired and you were not driving dangerously. Defense attorneys often question the validity of the conversion formula when driver's alcohol levels are based on breath or urine tests.
    • Michael Brush: United Statescitizens frequently believethey will not be subject to foreign laws for crimes committed abroad since they are U.S. citizens. This is not the case. In fact, the consequences for crimes committed abroad, especially drug possession, can bemore severe. The U.S. is one of few countries that believe in "innocence until proven guilty." Furthermore, the burden of proof in many countries rests with the accused to prove innocence.
    • >Gary Moss: After a typical California DUI arrest, you may have only ten days to request a hearing from the Department of Motor Vehicles to challenge the administrative suspension of your California driving privilege. If a hearing is not set, and a "stay" (or postponement) of the suspension is not requested, your license may be automatically suspended after 30 days if your blood alcohol level was at 0.08% or greater when tested.
    • Pardoe & Associates:

      1. You must Contact the DMV within 10 days of your arrest
      2. Record & Remember what police officer did and said to you
      3. Think about what kind of Legal Representation you want
      4. Decide what are your goals in resolving your case; accepting a plea bargain or having a jury trial

    • C. Robert Brooks: The fact is, you don't need a lawyer. What you do need is a DUI lawyer!
    • Gregory Brenner: While most people understand that a DUI-DWI arrest is going to result in criminal charges in court, most drivers do not realize that a drunk driving arrest also initiates a civil proceeding against their driving privileges, which is commonly referred to as a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) license suspension. A DMV license suspension is initiated against an arrested driver when he or she either refuses to submit to breath or blood testing, or fails a breath or blood test.
    • Lawrence Taylor
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