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Orange County DUI Lawyer

ORANGE COUNTY DUI LAWYER

Aggressive Defense Strategies

Over 100,000 people are arrested for impaired driving offenses every year throughout California. Although driving under the influence (DUI) is a common crime, it poses a serious public safety risk. State prosecutors take these charges very seriously and often pursue the harshest penalties available under the law. A DUI conviction can result in multiple penalties, including time in jail, yet the costs for a drunk driving conviction can extend far beyond your criminal record and affect you for the rest of your life. You may encounter obstacles finding a job, securing affordable housing, enrolling in college, or obtaining the professional licenses you need to progress in your career.

If you are charged with a DUI, it is crucial to remember that you don’t have to face a DUI alone. However scary this situation may be, you should never plead guilty to such charges without first consulting with an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer. Learn more about DUI charges below, then contact The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman to get started on your defense.

Renowned Success Rate

Criminal cases are often complicated. There are two sides to every story, and it is important that the court sees the situation clearly. We can help defend you in your criminal case and make sure your perspective is heard.

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WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A DUI ARREST IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A typical DUI case involves the following stages:

  • Arrest. If a law enforcement officer suspects that you are driving under the influence, they pull you over and ask you to perform a set of field sobriety tests. Based on their observations, they may release you or arrest you for a DUI offense. If you are arrested, you will be taken to a local police station, jail, or hospital to undergo chemical BAC testing that determines your level of intoxication.
  • Booking. If the test shows you were driving with a BAC over the legal limit, the police will book you, file a report of the alleged crime, and submit it to the local prosecutor for review. The officer will inform you that your driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days, confiscate your license, and provide a temporary license that remains valid until the suspension goes into effect. Most people are released within a few hours after their arrest, particularly for first offenses. If bail is recommended, it will be set with the understanding that you will appear at all future court proceedings.
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CALIFORNIA DUI OFFENSES

Under California Vehicle Code, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or greater. DUI offenses are “priorable,” meaning the court considers any prior DUI convictions on your criminal record within the past ten years to determine sentencing for the current offense. The penalties become harsher with every conviction. Many DUI offenses are charged as misdemeanors, but a DUI can be charged as a felony. This could be the case if the current offense is your fourth or more conviction within this period, if you have previously been charged with a felony DUI, or if your actions injured someone else. Certain facts and circumstances in your case can increase your sentence in county jail or state prison, regardless of whether this is your first, second, third, or subsequent charge. These aggravating factors include:

  • BAC of 0.15% or higher
  • Refusing to submit to a chemical BAC test
  • Reckless driving
  • Excessively speeding
  • Being under 21 years old
  • Driving drunk with a child under the age of 14 years old in the vehicle
  • Causing an accident in which another person is injured or killed
  • Resisting arrest

POLICE NEED PROBABLE CAUSE TO STOP YOU

When you work with The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, we take a detail-oriented approach to investigating your DUI case, starting with examining the initial stop that led to your arrest. To pull you over, the arresting officer must have probable cause that you were intoxicated from observing your driving or receiving reports from other individuals. If it can be established that your initial stop was unlawful, your whole case can be dismissed.

Police officers may be able to stop you if they observe any of the following behavior:

  • Wide turns
  • Failure to maintain a single lane
  • Speeding
  • Careless or reckless driving
  • Accidents
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Driving too slow
  • Weaving, drifting, or swerving
  • Causing an accident

A police officer can frisk you or pat you down only if two conditions are met. The first being they stopped you lawfully and can articulate to you why they did so, and the second being that the officer suspects you are armed and dangerous. If drugs are found on you but the officer did not have probable cause to pull you over, this evidence against you may be inadmissible in court. The same goes for being stopped on suspicion of DUI. The officer needs to have probable cause that you were intoxicated from observing your driving or receiving reports from other individuals.

DUI Penalties

  • 1st Offense DUI – Misdemeanor
    • 48 hours to six months in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for four to 10 months
    • Potential interlock ignition device (IID) installation for six months
    • Informal probation for three to five years
    • Court-approved DUI education program for three or nine months
  • 2nd Offense DUI – Misdemeanor
    • 96 hours to one year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for two years
    • Mandatory IID installation for one year
    • Informal probation for three to five years
    • Court-approved DUI education program for 18 or 30 months
  • 3rd Offense DUI – Misdemeanor
    • 120 days to one year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for three years
    • Mandatory IID installation for two years
    • Informal probation for three to five years
    • Court-approved DUI education program for 30 months
    • Designation as a “habitual traffic offender” by the DMV
  • 4th Offense DUI – Felony
    • 16 months to three years in state prison
    • Fines up to $18,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for four years or permanent suspension
    • Mandatory IID installation for three years if eligible for restricted license
    • Court-approved DUI education program for three, 18 or 30 months
    • Designation as a “habitual traffic offender” by the DMV
  • 4th Offense DUI – Felony
    • 16 months to three years in state prison
    • Fines up to $18,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for four years or permanent suspension
    • Mandatory IID installation for three years if eligible for restricted license
    • Court-approved DUI education program for three, 18 or 30 months
    • Designation as a “habitual traffic offender” by the DMV
  • Misdemeanor DUI With Injury
    • Five days to one year in county jail
    • Fines up to $5,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for one year
    • Mandatory IID installation for six months
    • Informal probation for three to five years
    • Court-approved DUI education program for three, 18, or 30 months
    • Restitution to all injured parties
  • Felony DUI With Injury
    • 16 months to four years in state prison
    • Restitution to all injured parties
    • Fines up to $5,000 plus court fees and penalty assessments
    • License suspension for five years
    • Mandatory IID installation for up to three years
    • Court-approved DUI education program for 18 or 30 months
    • Designation as a “habitual traffic offender” for three years
    • Additional and consecutive one to six years in state prison, depending on how many people were injured and the extent of their injuries

DUI LAW FAQ'S

Orange County, CA
  • How Much Is a DUI in Orange County?

    A DUI conviction in Orange County carries a fine of $390 to $1,000, but this does not represent the total cost of a DUI. Other expenses include court fees, penalty assessments, fees for attending DUI education programs, driver’s license reinstatement fees, IID installation fees, fees for towing and impounding the vehicle, bail, and attorney’s fees. Additionally, car insurance rates typically double after a DUI and remain high for approximately three years. In total, a DUI conviction can cost $11,000 to $16,000.

  • Is Jail Time Mandatory for a DUI?

    All DUI charges in California carry the possibility of jail time, but judges often impose probation or other alternative sentencing penalties for first or second offenses. However, the potential for jail time increases for every conviction within a 10-year period, and third or subsequent DUI convictions nearly always involve minimum jail sentences. A jail or prison sentence becomes more likely in the presence of any aggravating factors listed above.

  • Do I Need a Lawyer for DUI in California?

    It is not required to hire a lawyer if you are charged with a DUI, but securing representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney is your best chance at achieving a favorable outcome in your case. An Orange County DUI lawyer can:

    • Explain your exact charges, how the law applies to your case, and the penalties you face
    • Advise you on the best course of action for your defense
    • Thoroughly investigate the facts of your alleged offense
    • Represent you at the DMV hearing to protect your driving privileges
    • Help you apply for a restricted license
    • Monitor the procedures of police officers and prosecutors to protect your rights
    • Challenge the prosecution’s evidence against you to have your case dismissed
    • Uncover exculpatory evidence to prove your innocence or mitigating evidence to minimize the penalties of a conviction
    • Negotiate with prosecutors to secure a plea deal for reduced charges
    • Explore alternative sentencing options to avoid jail or prison time
  • Can I Have a DUI Charge Dismissed in California?

    You may have legal grounds to file for a “motion to dismiss” with the court, which is a formal request made to a judge to consider setting aside the case rather than pursuing a conviction. This strategy can be implemented if your rights were violated at any point during their arrest or the preliminary hearing or if the arresting officers did not have probable cause to arrest you in the first place. However, if you face several charges, having a DUI dismissed does not prevent prosecutors from proceeding with the other charges.

  • What is the purpose of an administrative hearing, and can it help me?

    If you have received notice that your driver's license may be suspended or revoked, you should request an administrative hearing to fight for your driving privilege. A DMV hearing is your chance to prove that the suspension or revocation of your driver's license is not justified given your circumstances. It is wise to have the help of a skilled attorney by your side at the administrative hearing.

  • Is there any way I can get to and from work if my driver's license is suspended?

    If your driver's license is suspended by the DMV for a period of time, you have the option of applying for a restricted license that allows you to drive to and from work. This type of restricted license will not be addressed at the DMV hearing. You must apply for a restricted driver's license at a DMV field office.

  • How long can my driver's license be suspended if I took the chemical test?

    California DUI laws require you to submit to a chemical test to determine the amount of alcohol or drugs in your blood, and these tests include blood, breath and urine tests. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) shows up as .08% or higher and you are unsuccessful in fighting your DUI, your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of four months. A second or subsequent DUI conviction within a 10-year time period will result in a one-year driver's license suspension.

    If you have been arrested for an underage DUI because your preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test or chemical test revealed that your BAC was .01% or higher, you will lose your license for a year.

  • Do I have to tell my car insurance company about my DUI?

    If you have received a DUI conviction, there are two different ways that your car insurance carrier can find out about your DUI. The first way happens when your insurance runs a check on your DMV record, which generally happens when your policy is up for renewal or when you apply for new coverage. Any DUI convictions that are within the last 10 years will be visible.

    Secondly, your car insurance carrier can find out about your DUI when the California Department of Motor Vehicles requires you to obtain an SR-22, which is a certificate of insurance that signifies that you meet the state's minimum requirements for auto insurance liability coverage.

DUI DEFENSE STRATEGIES IN OC, CA

Sobriety and chemical testing processes are almost always fallible, so we can challenge the accuracy of the test and the procedures followed by the police. Also, if you consumed certain food or medication prior to or after drinking, that could play a role in the rate of alcohol absorption and could lead to an inaccurate test result. All of the factors surrounding the events of your arrest may be used to challenge your charges.

Examples of common issues we address in most every case:

  • Lack of proof you were driving
  • Improper search issues
  • Retrograde extrapolation
  • Implied consent admonitions
  • Lack of proof of impairment
  • Reliability of the blood-alcohol tests
  • Miranda warning or Fifth Amendment issues
  • Admissibility of the chemical tests

AGGRESSIVE DUI DEFENSE IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA

When your future is threatened by DUI charges, you need expert legal representation to protect your rights and obtain the best results in your case. At The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, our Orange County DUI lawyers have extensive experience defending clients accused of DUI offenses. We have the knowledge, resources, and trial-tested litigation skills to mount a formidable defense on your behalf and effectively guide you through every stage of the criminal justice system. Contact us today to discuss your case.

REAL PEOPLE. REAL RESULTS.

  • CASE DISMISSED
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    CHILD ENDANGERMENT / CRUELTY

    Penal Code 273a(b) Child endangerment/cruelty.

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    CHILD MOLESTATION

    Child molestation: Felony.

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    PROBATION VIOLATION

    PC 1203.2 Committing a new crime or violating any term or condition of probation.

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    ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER

    Los Angeles Arrest Pre-filing representation on Attempted murder of police officer, assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer.

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    CONTEMPT OF COURT ORDER

    Contempt of court order by a gang member.

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    CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

    Child Sex Abuse case dismissed.

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Contact Us Today

If you’re facing criminal charges in Orange County, Los Angeles, or throughout California, Call (714) 266-3945; For After-Hours, You Will Be Redirected To Her Cellphone

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