Helping Clients
Facing DUI charges can be overwhelming and shocking for many people. First-time offenders may have an especially difficult time understanding what will happen during the process and knowing how to defend themselves. If you are a repeat offender, you may face stiff penalties, including loss of driving privileges, felony charges, and other devastating consequences.
DUI criminal defense cases require an excellent legal team to protect defendants from jail time, fines, and other negative results associated with a criminal record. Your criminal defense attorney should educate you on what your options are and how to proceed. They can coach you through the investigation so you don’t accidentally incriminate yourself. They will also fight for you throughout the legal process so you can get the most favorable results possible.
If you are facing DUI/DWI charges in San Diego County, Riverside County, or the surrounding areas, please contact us immediately. We have the legal knowledge and experience necessary to fight for you. We promise to use our skills, talent, and determination to advocate for your best interests throughout your DUI offense proceedings.
Call Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law right away for a team with vast experience handling DUI cases. We promise to listen carefully to your concerns and offer the support and counsel you need at this critical time. Don’t let DUI charges wreak havoc on your future. Call the DUI lawyers at our law firm at 909-500-4819 to schedule your free consultation with our winning team.
What Is California Law Regarding DUI?
Driving under the influence is illegal in California. The obvious reason for these laws is to protect innocent drivers who could be injured or killed when someone is driving drunk. Alcohol impairs the driver’s ability to stop and avoid an accident and may lead to severe collisions that would not have occurred if it weren’t for drunk driving.
California’s driving laws are stringent, with a BAC level of 0.08% being the legal limit. However, some individuals with less than 0.08% BAC are still convicted of DUI/DWI in the California legal system. For example, if you were impaired while driving, whatever your BAC, you could face DUI charges. Matters are even more complex for commercial drivers, who are held to a higher standard and have more to lose if their driving privileges are suspended.
When you are faced with DUI offenses, you may fear the social stigma of a DUI. Prosecutors often take a hard line against drunk driving, which can land innocent people in jail. Don’t take the risk with so much at stake. Contact a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer like at Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law. We will explain your charges and help you come up with a defense to protect you during your DUI case.
What Penalties Come with a DUI Conviction in Temecula?
DUI cases often result in stiff penalties, some of which may be undeserved. However, with a skilled DUI lawyer on your side, you have a much better chance of avoiding the maximum penalties. Many DUI offenders have their cases dismissed because of misconduct on the part of police officers. Your best chances are to reach out to a law office of criminal defense attorneys who will protect your rights and fight aggressively for you.
Some examples of penalties and negative consequences associated with a DUI conviction are:
- License suspension
- Increased insurance premiums
- Jail time
- Fines
- Legal fees
- Loss of professional licensing
- Mandatory use of ignition interlock device
- Social stigma
- Loss of child custody privileges
- Loss of gun rights
- Loss of immigration status
As you can see, there is more to a legal conviction than jail time and fines. If convicted, you may have to deal with a criminal record for many years to come. This often leads to family problems, difficulty finding employment, and a more challenging time getting a place to live.
The good news is that you don’t have to just take the penalty handed to you. You can contact a criminal defense lawyer now to get you a more favorable outcome that avoids many of the consequences listed above. Reach out to our criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation today and see how we can assist with your DUI defense.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Placed Under DUI Arrest?
Being placed under arrest is never a pleasant experience. However, rather than fight the officers and make a scene, your best option is to cooperate politely with law enforcement officials. In California, you are required to comply with breathalyzer tests, even though these devices are notoriously inaccurate. By holding a driver’s license, it is assumed that you have given implied consent to a chemical test when driving under the influence is suspected. Refusing the test can result in further legal charges.
While the officers conduct their investigation, please keep in mind that you have the Constitutional right to remain silent and get counsel from an attorney. You do not have to answer questions, and we recommend that you stay silent until we have discussed your case with you. Answering questions can lead to accidental self-incrimination and may be detrimental to your case.
Finally, one of your first actions after being arrested should be to call a DUI attorney. Your DUI lawyer should be familiar with California law and have extensive experience representing clients facing license suspension and other consequences of DUI charges. Call Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law for a law office that will stand by your side and get your charges lowered or dismissed when possible.
What Defenses Can Help Defeat My DUI Criminal Charges?
When developing a DUI defense, every detail is crucial. You should reach out to a trusted DUI attorney immediately for help knowing how to defend your rights in your DUI case. If you were involved in a DUI causing injury, your case is even more serious. You need immediate legal representation to avoid a felony conviction and get the outcome you deserve.
An experienced attorney can help you develop a DUI defense, including one of the following or more:
- Flaws or operating errors in the chemical test performed by the officer
- Mistakes and alternative explanations for failures in the physical test
- Mistaken identity or that you were not the person operating the vehicle
- Violation of Constitutional rights, such as illegal arrest
- Lack of evidence
Confronting DUI/DWI charges can be intimidating. Many individuals think that they have no choice but to submit to the results of their breathalyzer results and field sobriety tests. However, you should understand that many law enforcement officers do not adequately apply or discern the results of these tests.
Your criminal defense attorneys should have a deep understanding of California DUI laws. They can help you avoid license suspension, jail time, and the other negative repercussions of a DUI conviction. If you are facing other charges, such as drug possession, domestic violence charges, or marijuana DUI, you need immediate help from a trusted criminal defense law firm. Call Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law for help from a team with a proven track record of success.
Why Do I Need Legal Representation When Facing a DUI Charge?
Individuals facing DUI charges in Temecula face severe penalties. Some DUI cases result in felony charges, which may lead to years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. In addition to the harsh legal penalties, people convicted of DUI face license suspension, difficulty getting employment and housing, and a lifetime of regret and social stigma. However, with legal representation from skilled criminal defense attorneys, you can get reduced charges or even have your case dismissed.
You also need a DUI attorney on your side because of the complex nature of the criminal justice system in California. A lawyer will know what to expect at each stage of the process and can provide support and guidance as you face these difficult times. Your lawyer can also help investigate the details of the incident to demonstrate whether your rights were violated by the arresting and investigating officers. As you attend DMV hearings, an experienced attorney will defend you confidently and help you get the most positive outcome possible.
Call our law firm right away to protect your driving rights. Remember to cooperate with law officers and do not refuse testing. However, you should exercise your right to remain silent until you speak with a trusted legal representative. You can count on the team at Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law, for legal advice and aggressive representation when it matters most.
Should You Hire Our Temecula DUI Attorneys?
If you or your loved one is facing DUI charges in Temecula, you should not hesitate a moment longer to call our law office. The prosecution will move as quickly as possible to build a case against you, so you should have excellent attorneys working to protect your rights and get you a positive outcome.
At Patrick Silva, Attorneys at Law, we understand the complexities involved in a Temecula DUI case. We have spent years helping clients overcome the challenges of DUI charges in California. We know what it takes to win, and our proven record of success shows that we effectively apply our knowledge in every case we handle.
If you have additional criminal charges, including drug possession and deadly weapon charges, we can help. Our legal team will listen closely to your questions and answer each concern in clear and simple terms. We will leverage the years spent defending clients to get the best results possible in your unique case.
Our Temecula DUI lawyers have what it takes to get you through this ordeal and enjoy a brighter future ahead. We have helped countless DUI offenders through the legal process, and we will use that knowledge and skill to help you as best we can. Call 909-500-4819 to schedule a complimentary case review with our talented, compassionate legal team.