California Dui Attorney
Our team of California DUI attorneys consists of former drunk driving prosecutors, former DUI enforcement officers, and former police toxicologists. We defend clients throughout the state, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego and Orange Counties.
california dui attorney
If a settlement is reached involving you pleading to a DUI or a lesser charge, this can be completed in one of two ways. You may come to court and plead in person before the judge. Or in many cases, your California DUI lawyer can have you sign notarized documents (called a Thal waiver) outside of court. Your attorney can then bring the documents to the court and execute the plea on your behalf.
All our members emphasize, in their respective criminal defense practices, defending citizens who are accused of driving under the influence and related cases. The collective knowledge our membership is vast. We have members who have argued before the Supreme Court, written numerous appellate briefs, presented, and lectured to attorneys from all over the United States on various aspects of DUI law, and generally are the most well versed in DUI defense than the general criminal defense bar of California.
Even when a case cannot be won outright, there are often ways to reduce the charges or the penalties. Doing this requires familiarity with the law. A knowledgeable DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles makes a huge difference.
If you did refuse the test, you have legal options. The police are required to inform you that refusing the test is a crime. They are also required to give you the choice between a breath test and a blood test. If they failed to do this, your attorney can argue against the refusal charge.
Blood and breath tests are done by machines that have to be properly calibrated, and must be carried out by individuals with the correct credentials. DUI attorneys devote a huge part of their time to understanding how these devices work and the circumstances under which they fail. They may be able to have chemical test data excluded.
Finding and choosing a California DUI lawyer in a drunk driving case can be a difficult process; there are many incompetent, inexperienced and/or unethical attorneys who will readily accept DUI clients. However, asking the following questions can be helpful in retaining a good DUI defense attorney:
Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor: Southern California DUI Attorneys with offices in Irvine, Long Beach, Riverside, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Huntington Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Orange. AV-rated 4-attorney firm, averaging 24 years of experience, specializing in representing DUI clients. A UC Berkeley graduate, senior partner Lawrence Taylor is a former prosecutor and Fulbright Professor of Law, former Dean of the National College for DUI Defense, Board-certified and the author of the standard textbook in the field, Drunk Driving Defense, 7th edition. This well-known Southern California firm is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and is apparently unique in having a technical support staff of former law enforcement experts and officers.
Law Offices of Paul Burglin: San Francisco Bay Area Offices in San Francisco and San Rafael. Mr. Burglin has 30 years experience and is the co-author of California Drunk Driving Law. He currently serves on the Board of Regents of the national College for DUI Defense, and is one of only five attorneys in California Board-certified as a DUI defense specialist. Serving clients in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Contra Costa.
Law Office of Jeffrey C. Stotter: Northern Valley DUI Attorney Office in Redding. Mr. Stotter is a graduate of UC Irvine and Syracuse University College of Law, served as a deputy district attorney, has 16 years experience and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity and Tehama Counties.
The National College for DUI Defense A national organization of approximately 800 attorneys specializing in drunk driving litigation. Dedicated to the continuing education of the criminal defense Bar, the College hosts an annual 3-day seminar at Harvard Law School.
Some drivers charged with a DUI in California simply accept the charge, plead guilty, and suffer the consequences. When considering the cost of having an attorney represent them, they may mistakenly determine that the guidance and protection of a seasoned DUI attorney is not worth the money.
For a first-time misdemeanor DUI in California, attorney fees can be in the range of $1,000 to $10,000. A very complex DUI case where a person was seriously injured or killed might be as much as $70,000, or more, for an experienced DUI attorney.
Complexity increases the time necessary for an attorney to properly analyze all available evidence in addition to the time necessary to represent their client. Most DUIs are misdemeanors. However, some DUIs may be charged as felonies if, for example, they result in significant injury or death to another. Those that involve significant injury or death likely involve more legal research, investigation, and additional court appearances that may take more time to resolve the matter.
Sometimes, a premium is paid for an inexperienced DUI attorney simply because they work for a well-established law firm. However, at The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian, you will have access to a firm of experienced DUI attorneys who have handled hundreds of cases in California.
A seasoned DUI attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the criminal justice process to reach the best outcome in your specific circumstance. A negative outcome or stringent penalties can have a detrimental effect on your immediate and longer-term future. In addition to having a seasoned DUI attorney guide you through the complex processes of the legal system, they will also advocate for your best interests and fight for your rights against the most experienced of prosecutors.
The cost of a DUI lawyer can vary depending on the facts of your case and the experience level of the specific attorney you choose. In general, for first-time offenders, a DUI could cost you from $390 to $1,000 as a misdemeanor level. The court may add additional penalties, depending on the specificities of your unique case. The defendant should also account for the price of bail, license fees, and even additional increases in auto-insurance costs.
While the costs may seem overwhelming and scary, hiring an experienced attorney may end up saving you money in the future, depending on the costs and fines you may potentially face if you are convicted of your DUI charge. Whether you are facing your first DUI or have been charged with a second one, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced DUI attorney. No matter what, if you are facing a DUI charge, it is important to work with an Orange County criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights and freedom.
The California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) was founded in 1989. CDLA is focused on issues impacting the DUI and drunk driving defense attorney in California. The organization also advocates for legislative changes to improve the laws of this state.
CDLA recognizes that DUI cases in California require special expertise, resources and specialized knowledge in both the science and law behind DUI enforcement. Membership in CDLA is one important indicator that validates an attorney's claim that he or she is focused on DUI defense.
CDLA membership is limited to DUI defense lawyers in Calfornia who agree in writing with the Statement of Purpose, and who are not involved in either the prosecution or law enforcement nor any organization that is interested in the prosecution of men or women accused of drunk or impaired driving. Many of the top DUI defense attorneys in California belong to the CDLA.
Lawyer Legion maintains a statewide directory of DUI defense lawyers in California which includes both CDLA members and non-members. To help the public find the best choices when searching for a DUI attorney, Lawyer Legion recognizes attorneys for their involvement and leadership within the CDLA and other professional associations. This includes recognition for CDLA Past Presidents, CDLA Specialist Members, and CDLA members who have updated their Lawyer Legion profile with information about their involvement with theCDLA.
If you are arrested or cited for a DUI, the district attorney will charge you with violating either one or both of Sections 23152(a) and 23152(b) of the California Vehicle Code. Section 23152(a) of the California Vehicle Code makes it a crime to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any combination of the two. Section 23152(b) of the California Vehicle Code says it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of more than .08%.
It is extremely important that you contact an attorney immediately after your arrest or citation for a DUI. You only have the right to request an admin per se hearing within 10 days of receipt of the suspension or revocation order. Time is of the essence. If you want to fight to keep your license and begin the investigation and defense of your DUI case, you need to start now.
Yes, it would be a very big mistake for someone with a DUI not to hire an attorney. A lot of people think their case is hopeless and nothing could be done just because they were arrested or cited for a DUI. They might go into court and plead guilty at the first court date and accept whatever sentence they are handed, without realizing that they have missed so many possible defenses and so many different ranges of what could possibly happen on a DUI because they have just thrown away any of those chances.
Judges know that it is almost always a bad idea for someone to represent themselves. Even judges hire attorneys to represent them when they get into trouble and they would not attempt to represent themselves. Judges know that someone who represents themselves might be missing a lot of issues and they might not be able to fully exercise their rights. 041b061a72