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Santa Ana DUI Lawyers

  1. Coreen Ferrentino: In California, police often make DUI/DWI arrests by following people out of bars and pulling them over-in many cases without a valid reason. If you are like many people, you probably didn't realize that police have to actually see some sort of vehicle or traffic violation before they can legally pull you over.
  2. Jake Brower: In recent years, California has experienced sharp declines in vehicular accidents involving drinking and driving. Many attribute this to the stateÕs laws that apply to driving under the influence (DUI), which are some of the strictest in the nation. The California Vehicle Code includes two basic drunk-driving laws, sections 23152(a) and 23152(b). Under the first, it is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Under the second, it is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood. The law provides that a defendant Driving under the influence is both a criminal and civil matter. Drivers caught with alcohol levels in their blood or breath that exceed legal levels, or those who refuse to take (and complete) a chemical test, are dealt with in two ways: First, they are prosecuted for the criminal offense of DUI or refusal. Criminal penalties can include jail and prison, fines, treatment, probation and license suspension. Second, they are subject to licensing action by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  3. Anthony, Daryl: In recent years, California has experienced sharp declines in vehicular accidents involving drinking and driving. Many attribute this decline to the stateÕs laws that apply to driving under the influence (DUI), which are some of the strictest in the nation. The California Vehicle Code includes two basic drunk-driving laws, sections 23152(a) and 23152(b). Under the first, it is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Under the second, it is a felony to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood. The law provides that a defendant driving under the influence is both a criminal and civil matter. Drivers caught with alcohol levels in their blood or breath that exceed legal levels, or those who refuse to take a chemical test, are dealt with in two ways: First, they are prosecuted for the criminal offense of DUI or refusing to take a chemical test. Criminal penalties can include jail and prison, fines, mandatory treatment, probation and license suspension. Second, they are subject to licensing penalties by the Department of Motor Vehicles. CaliforniaÕs toughening DUI laws have become far more complex than they used to be.
  4. Cota, Antonio: A lot of people assume that when the lights go on in their rear-view mirror and the police pull them over for DUI, that is that. They mistakenly believe there is nothing to do but take the harsh punishments the state routinely hands out. That often means three to five years of probation; a fine and court costs of over $1,000; a loss of their driver's license for six months; required DUI school; and mandatory jail time (usually 48 hours) Ñ plus increased car insurance costs. There is an alternative to losing all that time and money. Fight for your rights.
  5. South Coast Law Center: Driving Under the Influence ( D.U.I. ) * DUI with Serious Bodily Injury * Felony DUI * Prior Convictions * Breath test over .08 * Refusal to take breath test * Refusal to do roadside sobriety exercises * Urine test * Administrative Hearings at DHSMV
  6. Kaeni & Associates: If you've been arrested, you need to remain calm yet take quick action. During your arrest, you should cooperate with police officers and remain silent. Failing to do so will jeopardize your case. Been Arrested? Remember this must-known information! You need to get in touch with a local criminal lawyer as soon as possible. A criminal lawyer can explain your legal rights and possible ways to challenge your charges, and also make sure that you are aware of important deadlines which could impact your case. Miranda Rights You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and for an attorney to be present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. The courts have since ruled that the warning must be "meaningful", so it is usually required that the suspect be asked if he understands his rights. Evidence has been ruled inadmissible because of a suspect's poor knowledge of English.
  7. Hogle, Kevin: DUI/Drunk Driving DUI IS A SERIOUS AND UNIQUE OFFENSE A DUI conviction can result in criminal penalties such as fines, jail, probation, and/or community service. Moreover, you will lose your license within 10 days of the arrest if you do not act quickly! By statute, first-time offenders face mandatory minimum penalties and additional offenses are met with additional penalties. Sentences may be relatively harsh in some cases, depending on views held by either judges or prosecutors, especially for people already on probation for prior convictions. You need a skilled DUI Attorney to ensure that sentences are as close as possible to the minimum required by law. DUI PENALTIES DUI is a serious crime, and it should not be taken lightly. Individuals arrested for DUI are usually charged with two violations from different statutes. Driving under the influence violates California's vehicle code section 23152, subdivision (a). Driving under the influence also violates the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rule (requiring that persons have less than a .08% BAC level. Persons convicted of violating one of the above statutes lose their DUI case. Unless expunged, DUI convictions are misdemeanor convictions and are part of your permanent record. A record of a criminal conviction could jeopardize your current and future employment. Professional licensing and certifications can also be affected if you are a lawyer, doctor, nurse, medical technician, police officer, pilot, or are employed in the financial services sector. People convicted of DUI may face jail time, fines, mandatory DUI school, professional license suspension, and/or probation. DUI AND THE DMV When a person is arrested for DUI, the officer will seize the individualÕs California driver's license. A person will be served a notice of suspension of their driver's license either during the arrest or after being released from jail. Hearings in front of the DMV need to be scheduled no more than 10 days after the arrest to contest the decision to suspend a person's license. A person's license is suspended automatically 30 days after arrest if the person fails to schedule a hearing. FIGHT YOUR DUI Hiring a skilled DUI lawyer is maybe the most important decision you make after a DUI arrest in Southern California.
  8. Cini, Maltese: Facing a DUI can have life-altering consequences. Fines and possible jail time are only a few of the many penalties you may face. Having an attorney with experience and dedication is the key to winning dui cases.
  9. Apkarian & Zalewski: facing criminal charges can be a life changing event. It affects you and your family, as well as your livelihood.
  10. Vargas, George: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Drugs If you have been arrested for a DUI, you do not need to plea guilty. There are several defenses that may be available to you, here are a few: * The arresting officer did not have probable cause to pull you over * You were denied your right to a choice of a blood or a breath test. * The chemical test results were inaccurate * You Were Questioned In Violation Of Your Miranda Rights * You requested but were denied the right to see the credentials of the person who drew your blood * You Requested But Were Denied The Right To An Independent Test * You Have Been Denied Your Right To A Speedy Trial * There was not a proper chain of custody for any evidence seized. * The officer did not follow the proper procedures when administering the alcohol tests * The officer did not follow the proper procedures when administering the field sobriety tests * Your Blood Alcohol Level Was Lower When Driving Than When Tested * The Breath tests results were too high because there was still alcohol in your mouth Driving under the influence can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony DUI, depending upon your record or whether there were serious injuries. If you are arrested for a DUI, you have the right to refuse to do the field sobriety tests and the portable breath test that the police want you to take in their field investigation. However, California law requires that you take a blood or breath test after you are arrested and brought down to the police station. YOU ONLY HAVE 10 DAYS TO REQUEST A DMV HEARING AFTER YOUR ARREST! Therefore, it is extremely important that you consult an experienced attorney after your arrest, so that immediate steps can be taken to preserve your right to a DMV hearing and to prepare a defense against DUI charges. Your freedom and record are too important to entrust to a non-qualified attorney. I have successfully defended hundreds of people with their Drunk Driving charges.
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