If you, a family member, friend or loved one has been charged with a dui, your penalties can be harsh and extremely detrimental. Taking chances with public defenders or inexperienced lawyers for your DUI or criminal case could result in jail time, revocation of your license, stiff fines and probation.
There are thousands of factors that must be considered if you are charged with a DUI. The legality of your arrest, field sobriety tests, proper functioning test equipment, correct handling of your evidence, and the conduct of the arresting officers are frequently contentious issues during legal proceedings. Many people who believed themselves guilty discovered they could avoid serious penalties when any number of these variables failed to withstand legal scrutiny.
Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Intoxicated, and Operating Under the Influence are closely related crimes, but they can all mean the same thing: loss of license, stiff fines, embarrassment, and possible jail time. Although DUI, DWI, and OUI are relatively common crimes, few people are familiar with their rights and how to protect themselves in such a situation.
Driving under the influence, referred to as, "drunk driving," describes operating a motor vehicle while one's blood alcohol content is above the legal limit set by California statutes, which supposedly is the level at which a person cannot drive safely. State statutes vary as to what that level is, but it ranges from .08 to .10 for adults, which means a 8/100ths to one-tenth of one percent by weight of alcohol to the weight of blood. This is translated into grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in tests of blood or urine sample, or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of air in a "breathalyzer" test. A combination of the use of alcohol and narcotics can also be considered "under the influence" based on erratic driving. Driving on private property such as a parking lot is no drunk driving defense, but sitting in a non-moving vehicle without the ignition on probably is (sometimes resulting in a charge of "drunk in and about a vehicle"). This is a misdemeanor and is variously referred to as DUI, driving while intoxicated (DWI), drunk driving, or a "deuce".
Our law firm has decades of trial experience in dui and criminal cases. We can help you aggressively fight your charges an ensure your case is handled properly and efficiently. Contact us today!
