Superior DUI Defense in Los Angeles, CA

Even if the officer said you failed the field sobriety tests or even if the chemical test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, you can still fight your DUI charge. Don't do this alone. Fight for your innocence with the help of a Los Angeles DUI attorney from Gold & Witham.

Ready to fight your drunk driving charges? Call Gold & Witham at (800) 716-6791! 

What Can a DUI Attorney Do for You?

When you're arrested for a DUI, it can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. Not only do you face legal penalties, but the social repercussions of your arrest can be significant as well. Therefore, it's important to protect yourself by hiring an experienced DUI defense lawyer who understands the complexities of DUI laws and has knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Legal Representation: A DUI attorney will represent you in court proceedings, hearings, and negotiations with the prosecution. They will serve as your advocate. They can help explain each step of the proceedings and guide you through the process so that nothing is missed or overlooked. Your attorney can also inform you about possible plea deals and discuss legal options that may be available to you depending on your specific situation.

Knowledge of DUI Laws: Attorneys specializing in DUI cases are well-versed in California's DUI laws. They understand the nuances of these laws, potential penalties, and potential defenses available to challenge the charges.

Case Evaluation: A DUI attorney will thoroughly analyze your case, examining the circumstances surrounding your arrest. They'll review police reports, evidence, and any other relevant information to identify possible weaknesses or mistakes made by law enforcement.

Defense Strategies: Based on the specifics of your case, a qualified DUI attorney will analyze every aspect of your case in order to determine the legal defenses that are applicable to your case. This could involve challenging the accuracy of field sobriety tests, questioning the legality of the traffic stop, or disputing the accuracy of breathalyzer or blood tests.

Minimize Penalties: If you're convicted of a DUI in California, there can be severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even jail time. A DUI attorney will work to minimize these penalties or explore alternatives such as plea bargains or reduced charges.

Court Representation: Your attorney will represent you in court appearances, presenting your case effectively and advocating on your behalf during hearings and trial proceedings.

Negotiation with Prosecution: DUI attorneys can negotiate with prosecutors to potentially reduce charges or penalties. They might seek a plea bargain or alternative sentencing options to mitigate the impact of the DUI charge.

DMV Hearings: In California, a DUI arrest triggers a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) administrative hearing regarding the suspension of your driver's license. Your attorney can represent you at this hearing and fight to protect your driving privileges.

No matter what happened leading up to your arrest, having a knowledgeable professional on your side can make a difference in the outcome of your case. Having a qualified DUI defense attorney on your side is essential when facing criminal charges for a DUI in California.

Work with Proven DUI Defense Lawyers

The defense strategies we use differ greatly from case to case, depending on the nature of your alleged offense, any prior arrests/convictions, and even what court your case will be handled in. We've been doing this a long time, and with experience comes familiarity.

Listed below are examples of the types of DUI cases we can handle for clients:

• Commercial DUI
• DMV Hearings
• Drugs & DUI
• DUI Accidents
• Expungements
• Felony DUI
• Multiple DUI Arrests
• Out-of-State Arrests
• Under 21 DUI

Overview of DUI Charges in California

California's main drunk driving law can be found in the Vehicle Code § 23152:

(a) It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle. (b) It is unlawful for any person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.

In order to be arrested or even stopped under suspicion of DUI, a law enforcement officer must have a lawful reason for doing so—or, in other words, the officer must have "probable cause."

In the state of California, this means one of two things:

• Law enforcement officer had warrant because of a traffic violation such as speeding.
• Law enforcement officer had warrant because of a sobriety checkpoint.

If you are stopped for either reason and the officer believes you may be under the influence, they will ask you to submit to field sobriety tests. At this point, you are not under arrest. Only after a lawful arrest will you be required to submit to chemical testing to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Refusing a chemical test is grounds for automatic license suspension.

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California's 10-Day Rule

If you are tested to have a BAC of 0.08 percent or greater—less for commercial and underage drivers—then you can be charged with DUI and your license will be suspended. However, you do still have the right to both an administrative and a criminal hearing.

The DMV hearing will evaluate your right to drive and the criminal hearing will deal with your criminal charges. In many cases, we can restore our clients' driving privileges as well as get their criminal charges either reduced to a lesser charge or dismissed completely.

For all drivers arrested for driving under the influence, you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing! If you do not schedule this hearing, your license will automatically be suspended.

Common Types of DUI Offenses

Listed below are a few different examples of DUI-related crimes:

• Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more. In all states, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. This is your basic DUI charge.
• Refusing a chemical test. The law requires all drivers who have been lawfully arrested under suspicion of DUI to submit to a chemical test such as a breath or blood test. Urine tests are sometimes required—especially in the event of a possible DUI of drugs case. Refusing a chemical test is against the law and can warrant a one-year license suspension.
• Driving under the influence of a narcotic or prescription drug. Driving with a behavior-modifying or impairing drug in your system is against the law as much as drunk driving. However, it's difficult to determine how much of a drug can constitute "impairment."
• Car accidents caused by drunk driving. DUI of 0.08 percent or higher involving an accident—whether it leads to property damage, injury, or death—is an aggravated form of a driving under the influence offense. Any DUI accident could be charged as a felony.
• Underage drivers drinking and driving. In California, there is a "zero tolerance" law when it comes to underage drinking and driving. Any person who is under the age of 21 and who is tested to have any measurable alcohol in their system can be arrested for drunk driving.

Gold & Witham Can Protect Your Legal Rights

At Gold & Witham, our Los Angeles DUI attorneys have the necessary experience to represent clients charged with DUI because our attorneys have been practicing criminal law for more than 40 years. Our attorneys have experience at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and are able to create innovative and strong defense strategies for their clients.

It is our job to defend your rights and to ensure that you are given every opportunity at freedom that the justice system can provide. At Gold & Witham, that is exactly the service we provide to each client.

Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation with a Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer.