In Need of a DUI Lawyer in San Diego, California?
At the Griffin Law Office, APC, our DUI defense attorney in San Diego accurately outlines each of our client’s cases based on their unique needs to produce real results for real people who are in real trouble.
DUI charges can change the complete landscape of our clients’ futures, disrupting their personal, professional, and public lives, and they are not alone.
According to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Annual Report of the California DUI Management Information System, there were 123,548 people arrested throughout the state last year for driving under the influence of alcohol — including nearly 5,000 drivers who were arrested on felony DUI charges.
Our skilled San Diego criminal defense lawyer, Patrick Griffin, and knowledgeable support staff know the frequency and volume of DUI arrests lead to prosecutors’ offices throughout California seeking harsher penalties to help deter the behavior going forward.
That is exceptionally unwelcome news for those who try to take their DUI case on without an experienced defense attorney by their side.
Do not mistake your first DUI for a legal challenge you can manage on your own, as the penalties are stiff, and a conviction will remain on your record going forward. Likewise, if you have had more than one arrest for the same charge, have caused property damage, or injured someone while behind the wheel, now is the time to invoke your right to remain silent and speak with an attorney.
Our skilled San Diego DUI defense attorney will comb through your case with precision to ensure your rights were not violated during the stop, screening, and processing steps before building a persuasive case that gives you confidence in your future.
Contact us now to learn more about our DUI defense experience, and how we can apply it to your unique case to pursue tangible results.
What are the Penalties for a DUI in California?
Our San Diego DUI attorney and a qualified criminal defense law firm support staff help our California residents proactively face their DUI charges, and often appear in court on behalf of our eligible clients, so their busy lives can stay on track while we manage the details surrounding their legal trouble.
DUIs are generally misdemeanors, and penalties for first-time offenders include:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Misdemeanor probation
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- DUI school for up to six months
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Up to six months in jail
Second DUI offenders may face:
- Driver’s license suspension for up to two years
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- DUI school ranging from 18 to 30 months
- Up to one year in jail
If you have two prior DUI convictions within ten years, and you are arrested for a third DUI, the consequences become much harsher. Your driver’s license will be suspended for three years, and you will face DUI school for 30 months.
The severity of penalties increases with every new offense within ten years.
For example, a four-time DUI can be charged as a felony DUI offense. You could face at least 16 months in state prison, driver’s license revocation for four years, as well as participation in an addiction treatment program.
Aggravated factors including refusal to submit to the chemical test, speeding or reckless driving, as well as driving with a minor under 14 years of age in the vehicle can also lead to harsher penalties and require a skilled DUI defense attorney in San Diego to outline your unique charges, so we can customize your defense to pursue results for your case.
Contact our leading San Diego County DUI lawyer today to discuss the circumstances of your DUI arrest, so you can face the prosecutor’s office with confidence.
Our skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney represents clients in the following practice areas:
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Crimes
- Expungement
- Federal Crimes
- White Collar & Fraud Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Professional Licensing Defense
- Sex Crimes
- Theft & Burglary
- First Offense DUI
- Second Offense DUI
- Felony DUI
- Third Offense DUI
- Commercial Driver DUI
- Driving Defense
Do I Have to Submit to a Breathalyzer During a Traffic Stop or at a DUI Checkpoint in California?
In California, a DUI can be charged as two different infractions: The first states that it is illegal to drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The second states that it is a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher.
While these are two different crimes, they can arise from the same act.
If a San Diego law officer pulls you over for suspicion of drunk driving, or you are passing through a San Diego DUI checkpoint, you may be asked to take a field sobriety test or submit to a breathalyzer test.
If this happens to you, it is important to understand your rights.
Although you are required to give the officer your license and other documents he or she is asking for, you are not required to answer any questions that may incriminate you — including detailing whether you have had any alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel.
You also do not have to submit to a sobriety or breathalyzer test in California, but there are consequences for refusing them.
Under implied consent laws in California, you have an obligation to consent to a breath or blood test. If you do not, a law officer has probable cause to arrest you.
If you refuse to submit to these tests, you will face a license suspension and other penalties in addition to those you could face for a San Diego DUI.
While a refusal may not be helpful for your DUI case and could be used against you in court, our San Diego DUI attorney provides the experience our clients need in these types of cases and may challenge the test results and provide the qualified legal advice and DUI defense you need to produce tangible results.
Why Choose Our Skilled DUI Attorney at the Griffin Law Office in San Diego, California?
Criminal charges can bring a range of emotions, including anger, confusion, and fear that weigh so heavily on our clients that it is important to our defense attorney and support staff that our clients know we care about the outcome of their cases.
At the Griffin Law Office, our dedicated DUI defense attorney takes pride in producing positive results for each of our clients, because at the end of the day — this is your life we are talking about.
Our talented attorney provides the trust, skill, and courtroom flair our clients need to pursue actual results.
Here is how we solve each of our client’s important legal challenges.
- Personal Attention and Customized Legal Strategies
We understand that being charged with a crime is the most stressful thing a person can go through. We make sure that every single criminal law question is answered and that we are always available to assist in any way we can, this includes helping with job applications, and clearing up old convictions and criminal charges in San Diego.
- Attention to Detail and Sharpened Legal Knowledge
Criminal defense cases require careful preparation and a deep understanding of the criminal justice system. In San Diego criminal cases, you need a defense lawyer who understands the penalties you face, the courts in which you will be tried, and the judges and prosecutors who will run the proceedings against you. This knowledge help achieve favorable results.
- Passion for Justice and a Commitment to Serve
At the Griffin Law Office, we believe that no one should have to go through a criminal case alone. If you are facing criminal charges for domestic violence, drug crimes, fraud, or if you need a DUI defense lawyer, hire an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney who is not afraid to take your case to trial to get the best possible outcome.
- Courtroom Skills, Integrity, and Trust
Mr. Griffin graduated with honors from the number one trial skills law school in the country and won his first jury trial as a certified law clerk while still in law school. We have a unique ability to persuade jurors using years of training on the most advanced trial advocacy techniques throughout San Diego, California.
- We Win.
We have managed over 1,000 criminal defense cases in San Diego County and have an extensive list of satisfied clients. We take cases to trial when necessary and we litigate every issue. The key to winning a criminal defense case is to leave no stone unturned and to explore every option.
That is who we are.
Contact Our Experienced DUI Defense Attorney in San Diego, California Today
If you have been charged with a DUI in California – either submitting to a breathalyzer or refusing to submit to one – contact our skilled San Diego DUI defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights, the best way to minimize your damages, and how we accomplish favorable outcomes for each of our client’s unique needs by calling 619-269-2131 to discuss the details of your case today.
Do not leave your future to chance. We can help.
Related Links:
- A Guide to Your First Offense DUI
- Do I Need a DUI Attorney for My First Offense in California?
- California’s Updated DUI Ignition Interlock Device Law
- Felony DUI Causing Paralysis: NOT GUILTY
- DUI: Dismissed
- 15 Ways to Beat a DUI
- DUI Center
- DUI Classes San Diego: When Will You Need to Take Them?
- Request a DMV Hearing Now
- Stages In A San Diego DUI Case
- Your Rights During A DUI Stop
