Criminal Defense Law Blog

What Is the DUI Diversion Program?

In California, police officers arrest thousands of drivers each year for driving under the influence—or DUI. A small percentage of these charges are felonies, while the vast majority are misdemeanors. Misdemeanor charges may still carry significant penalties upon conviction. Moreover, when drivers have any criminal conviction on their record—whether felony or misdemeanor—they may experience various […]

What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

A field sobriety test is a set of tasks a police officer has a suspected drunk driver perform in order to indicate signs of drunk driving. Police officers arrest thousands of people for DUI every year in California. When an officer makes an arrest, they may ask the driver to do a field sobriety test—usually […]

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are currently pending criminal charges, you must retain a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you throughout your entire case. However, before retaining legal counsel, there are certain questions you should always ask—including those about the lawyer’s experience level defending clients against your particular charge. First and foremost, a knowledgeable attorney […]

Which of the Following Might Result in Harsher DUI Penalties?

Driving under the influence is a severe charge. If you do not take specific steps to mitigate the damage, you risk severe penalties that can make your life uncomfortable for quite some time. This is even more true when you might face an aggravated DUI charge, which warrants harsher penalties. Many different factors can contribute […]

What Are the Penalties for DUI in California?

If you get caught driving while under the influence of alcohol in California, a prosecutor will likely subsequently charge you with a DUI. Getting a driving under the influence charge can frustrate and scare you, but you do not need to fear it. A lawyer will tell you the penalties for DUI in California and fight the […]

Why Hire a DUI Lawyer?

Why hire a DUI Lawyer? A conviction for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol can have many long-term impacts and collateral consequences. Individuals who sustain a DUI conviction can receive fines, community service, and even jail time in some instances. Not having a lawyer represent you in a DUI case can […]

Why Do I Need a Lawyer After an Underage DUI?

Why do I need a lawyer after an underage DUI? A drunk driving conviction on an individual’s permanent criminal record can lead to severe penalties and some collateral consequences. This result is especially likely if the person sustains the DUI conviction as a minor. Not only do stricter standards apply to minors when it comes […]

How Does the Office of Administrative Hearings Work?

The state government is involved in many aspects of our daily lives. We receive driver’s licenses from the DMV, the state issues professional licenses, businesses enter into state contracts, and children receive special education services required under state and federal law. Hundreds of government agencies provide these services to millions of Californians, so it is […]

What Can a DUI Lawyer Do for You?

What can a DUI lawyer do for you? Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated can have grave consequences. The drunk driver may cause a severe collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian in some instances. Even if no traffic accident occurs, a police officer can pull over a driver who they think is intoxicated. If […]