Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys
DUI and Drunk Driving Defense
If you have been arrested on a DUI charge in Orange County, contacting a Santa Ana drunk driving defense lawyer right away may help protect your license. It is imperative that you hire a knowledgeable and experienced DUI attorney who can make sure your rights are protected and advise you of your options.
What Is DUI?
Driving under the influence of alcohol ("DUI," also know as "drunk driving") is a serious crime that can result in both criminal penalties and the loss of your driver's license.
How Do The Police Determine Who Is DUI?
In California, if you drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) greater than 0.08%, you may be arrested for DUI. In special circumstances, you can be arrested even with a much lower BAC. For instance, if you're under the legal age to drink alcohol (21), and you're stopped with a BAC of just 0.01%, you can be hit with a DUI.
What Penalties Might I Face If I Have Been Caught Drunk Driving In Southern California?
The answer depends on the following variables:
- Whether or not this was your first offense
- The details of any previous criminal history
- Whether your DUI occurred in conjunction with another crime or driving charge (e.g. hit and run accident, driving recklessly)
- Whether your BAC was far above the legal limit (e.g. 0.16% or above)
How Can A California DUI Defense Attorney Help Me Challenge My DUI Arrest?
An attorney can investigate the nature of the arrest and the tests performed. Often, police officers ineffectively or unconstitutionally administer tests to determine sobriety, and any misstep in doing so is grounds for a dismissal of charges.
A defense attorney can also seek out alternative punishments and rehabilitation in lieu of jail time or steep fines. First time offenders, in particular, can take advantage of numerous state rehab programs for drunk drivers.
If I Get Pulled Over For A Potential DUI, Am I Required To Take A Blood, Urine, Or Breathalyzer Test?
Strictly speaking, you're not. In some cases, a refusal can lead to potentially stricter sentencing. But refusing can also protect you from problems caused by inaccurate testing.
Jeremy Goldman is a skilled California drunk driving defense attorney with much trial experience. To find out more about how to construct a sound DUI/drunk driving defense, get in touch with the law offices of Jeremy Goldman; click here or call us at 1-800-349-1619. Please contact our office today.
