DUI Attorney in Orange County
Being arrested for driving under the influence is a frightening and humiliating experience. After submitting to field sobriety tests and a breath test, you suddenly find yourself in handcuffs and on your way to jail. However, this isn’t the time to panic and give up. A DUI conviction can limit your ability to drive, cost you an enormous amount of money, and keep you out of your chosen career path.
Good people make mistakes. Just because you were arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to defend yourself. Use our list of Orange County DUI attorneys to find the best fit for you.
Orange County DUI Lawyers:
12832 Valley View Street, Suite 203 Garden Grove, CA, USA
17592 Irvine Blvd Tustin, CA 92780
1440 N Harbor Blvd Suite 900 Fullerton, CA 92835
Are You a Family Member Helping Someone Arrested for DUI?
If a friend or family member has been arrested for DUI in California, it’s important to know that an arrest does not automatically mean a conviction. DUI cases move quickly, and there are two separate matters to address: 1) the criminal case and 2) a DMV case that can suspend a driver’s license. In most situations, there are only 10 days from the arrest to request a DMV hearing, so acting fast is critical.
The best way you can help right now is to talk to an experienced lawyer.
Many DUI cases depend on blood, breath, or urine test results, which are often unreliable due to testing errors, improper procedures, or violations of California’s Title 17 regulations (see below). A skilled DUI defense lawyer can potentially challenge the traffic stop, arrest, and chemical test evidence, protect driving privileges, and work to reduce or dismiss the charges. Early legal intervention can make a significant difference – for both the accused and the person supporting them.
Defending Against DUI Blood, Breath, and Urine Tests in California
In many California DUI cases, the prosecution relies heavily on breathalyzer, blood, or urine test results to prove intoxication. However, these chemical tests aren’t perfect. Experienced Orange County DUI defense lawyers can challenge the accuracy, legality, and handling of DUI test evidence.
Breath tests may produce false or inflated readings due to faulty calibration, improper administration, or medical conditions such as acid reflux. Blood tests are vulnerable to contamination, fermentation, improper storage, and broken chains of custody, while urine tests—widely considered the least reliable—often fail to reflect impairment at the actual time of driving.
Although California’s implied consent law requires drivers to submit to blood or breath testing after a lawful DUI arrest, test results must still comply with strict Title 17 regulations. If law enforcement fails to follow required procedures or violates your constitutional rights, the evidence may be suppressed.
A skilled DUI attorney will analyze every stage of the stop, arrest, and chemical testing process to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case—often leading to reduced charges, DMV license protection, or case dismissal.
Penalties for DUI Convictions
The consequences of a DUI affect multiple areas of your life. A lot depends on how many prior convictions you have.
For a first DUI, penalties include:
- Fine of $390 to $1,000, as well as penalty assessments
- Between 48 hours and six months in jail, although a judge can order probation instead
- Six-month license suspension, which is separate from the administrative license suspension handled by the DMV
On your second DUI, fines are the same. However, you may face up to one year in jail and a two-year license suspension.
For a third DUI, jail sentences range from 120 days to one year. You should expect to lose your license for three years.
In some situations, your misdemeanor DUI may become a felony. Aggravating factors can make your DUI be handled much more severely in a court of law. If you cause an accident that injures someone or kills someone, you could pay significantly more in penalties and spend time in state prison. Furthermore, your fourth DUI within ten years and any subsequent DUIs are considered felonies.
Possible Defenses for DUI
An experienced DUI attorney might have a variety of potential defense options to use in your specific case. This experience is critical because it allows your attorney to have a deep understanding of the nuance of the laws and legal procedures surrounding DUI charges in Orange County. This knowledge can be used to build a strong defense for you.
An experienced DUI attorney will also have an established rapport and history with local judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals, which can be beneficial in a local OC courtroom.
A locally experienced lawyer will have handled a large number of DUI cases and will be familiar with the common strategies and tactics used by specific Orange County prosecutors. This knowledge and experience can help increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
Here are some potential defenses that can be used to challenge DUI charges:
- Lack of probable cause for the initial traffic stop: If the officer didn’t have a valid reason for stopping you, any evidence obtained during the stop may be considered inadmissible in court.
- Faulty breathalyzer or blood test: If the equipment used to measure blood alcohol content was not properly maintained or calibrated, the results may be inaccurate and can potentially be challenged in court.
- Medications or medical conditions: Some medications or medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication, such as drowsiness, slurred speech, and poor coordination.
- Improper administration of field sobriety tests: Field sobriety tests must be administered correctly in order to be considered valid in court. If the officer did not follow proper procedures, the results may be inadmissible.
- Illegal search and seizure: If the officer did not have a warrant or probable cause to search your vehicle or arrest you, any evidence obtained during the search may be considered inadmissible in court.
It’s important to note that these are just examples and the specific defenses will depend on the facts of the charges. Also, it’s important to have a DUI attorney that can evaluate your specific circumstances and help formulate the best defense strategy.
Where Do Our Listed Attorneys Serve?
The DUI attorneys listed on this page serve clients in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, La Habra, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Brea, Ladera Ranch and all courts throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you or a family member has been arrested for a first, second or third DUI in Orange County, you NEED to talk to a lawyer and get your questions answered, call an attorney listed here today.
Take control of your future and your freedom by retaining an Orange County DUI attorney. Explore your options on our list of local DUI defense lawyers.
See More Attorneys
- https://www.orangecountylawyers.com/attorneys/the-logrue-law-firm/
- https://www.orangecountylawyers.com/attorneys/seyb-law-group/
- https://www.orangecountylawyers.com/attorneys/peter-f-iocona-attorney-at-law/
- https://www.orangecountylawyers.com/attorneys/prussak-welch-avila-apc/
- https://www.orangecountylawyers.com/attorneys/richard-t-mcguire/
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Contact Details
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ONLY 12900 Garden Grove Blvd #132, Garden Grove, CA 92843
(949) 518-0204
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