Sunday, July 5, 2009

How to Minimize the Risk of Being Charged For Drunk Driving in San Diego

Drunk driving in San Diego is a serious situation for police officers. If they smell just a small amount of alcohol on you, there's a big chance you could be arrested for drunk driving. But what if you've had a couple drinks and don't feel drunk? What happens if you are pulled over by officers? Here are some tips for a smooth process:

First off, let's state the obvious - to minimize the risk of being arrested you shouldn't get behind the wheel in the first place!

Be polite to law enforcement. Remember that they are recording everything that you do and your actions can be used against you in court. The last thing you want is for the officers to build up a bad picture of you to show to the jury.

You do not have to perform sobriety tests, but if you choose to, do them politely without any ruckus. There's a chance you may be arrested anyways, but at least the police won't have anything to use against you.

Call a friend or family member as soon as you can so that they can take note of your state of sobriety.

Vehicle maintenance is important. A bad wheel alignment can cause your car to go back and forth and make it look as if you're drunk driving. You don't want to give police any excuse to pull you over.

Make sure to seek the counseling of a DUI lawyer in San Diego who specializes in DUI cases. These lawyers are more familiar with DUI laws and procedures.

Your DUI Arrest in San Diego: Alternatives to a Jail Sentence

If you've been charged and convicted of a DUI in San Diego, there's a chance that you may have to spend time in jail depending on your history of drunk driving. Here are just some of the alternatives to jail that a lawyer can you help negotiate during your DUI trial:

Going to jail on the weekend - This is typically known as "weekend jail". Some police departments have what they call "City Jail" programs where offenders check themselves and stay in jail during the weekend. This allows them to keep their job during the week.

Alcohol or drug rehabiliation - Instead of going to jail - which doesn't seem to fix the problem for some people - the offender can attend an alcohol or drug rehabiliation program to address any underlying psychological issues related to their addictions.

House Arrest - The offender has to wear electronic monitoring devices to ensure that they remain in their home. Sometimes the wearer can go to work or school, but they have to be home at a certain time.

Sober Living Home - This is a living situation in which everyone living in the home is working on becoming sober and overcoming their addictions. Sometimes there are 12-step classes or counseling involved.

Work Release - The offender works at a site chosen by the Probation Department or court. They work there during the day, but are able to go home at night to sleep.

Work Furlough - The offender works their regular job during the day, but they have to go to a dormitory-type facility to sleep at night.

These are options you can discuss with your DUI lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to assess which alternative would probably be best for your situation.

San Diego Criminal Attorney

San Diego Criminal Attorney

San Diego Criminal Defense is a firm for humans who have been accused of an abomination to be represented in a carefully arcane environment. People facing criminal charges need a devoted and loyal advocate, and the lawyers give them what they need. The San Diego DUI stands for Driving under the Influence of breaking the driving rules under the impact of alcohol or adulterous substances. There are attorneys which works as a serious criminal defense team and are accepted as San Diego Bent Aegis Lawyers. The San Diego DUI attorneys are the representations by the attorneys appear the defendants or the government in a bent case. There are a lot of Drunk Driving Defense experts who accomplished their ambition based on their experience. Conviction for DUI (driving under the influence)/ DWI (driving while intoxicated) carries serious penalties in California. It is important that you hire a drunken driving defense lawyer who will aggressively represent you. Penalties in California for a drunken driving conviction can include: Jail, Large amount of Fines and Court Costs, Public Work Service, Community Service, Home Arrest, Probation, License Suspension, License Revocation, Court Ordered Alcohol Treatment, Court Ordered Alcohol Education active anybody charged with drunk driving, his/her license will be suspended immediately. Even before his/her criminal case goes to court. The suspension has to be challenged within a specific time range. Otherwise, he/she will lose the chance to keep his/her driving privilege. A law firm can represent him/her on the DUI/DWI criminal charge and the license suspension matter. Good lawyers are experienced in dealing with drunk driving and DUI cases and they can handle them with vigor. Aggressive representation is even more critical in DUI accident cases where someone is injured or killed. DUI cases where there is injury or wrongful death are considered felony cases. A person convicted in a felony DUI case may have to serve time in prison. If ones arrest was related to a DUI accident where someone was seriously injured or died, he/she also might be prosecuted for negligent homicide, aggravated assault, vehicular manslaughter or possibly murder. It is essential that he/she should hire a criminal defense attorney to work on his/her defense immediately after his/her arrest. The Law Offices will aggressively litigate all issues that might lead to a person avoiding a conviction. They also will work to reduce any other consequences. They can prepare the case, thoroughly investigate any evidence, and represent him/her in court. In most DUI/DWI cases, the person does not have to appear in court. One should not face a drunken driving charge without an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer on his/her side. Besides needing to act quickly to retain his/her driving privileges, the sooner a defense attorney is hired, the quicker an aggressive DUI defense can be started. As example San Diego DUI Lawyer James Bickford can handle all portions of ones DUI defense, starting with the DMV hearing and preparing for a jury trial. He will file motions to suppress the case, request independent testing of blood or breathe samples taken during arrest, interview witnesses, question the cause of the initial traffic stop, review police reports for variances from proper procedure and challenge all evidence. A total drunk driving defense will be started as soon as contact has been made with San Diego DUI Attorney.