DUI Defense Attorneys in Murrieta

Our practice is focused exclusively in Murrieta, California and we practice exclusively in the criminal defense of DUI. If you have been accused of driving under the influence you need an attorney that specializes in defending people arrested for DUI. That is what we do, in fact that is all we do and we do it for local residents of Murrieta California and only the surrounding cities. Contact us immediately by email for a free evaluation of your case.

What is DUI?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is the act of driving a motor vehicle, bicycle, boat or even a horse in some jurisdictions after consuming alcohol or drugs to the extent of impairing mental and motor skills. It is the most commonly committed crime in the United States since there are more cars on the roads than ever before, and it has become a serious problem. Most of the time, it is committed by a respectable person who has never been in trouble with the law.

In Murrieta we see more people that get charged with DUI then any other crime. If you have been arrested for drunk driving and are facing charges at Southwest Justice Center located in Murrieta at 30755-D Auld Road then you need to contact us immediately. Our attorneys work exclusively out of that court.

Was Your Arrest Legal?

Here is the most common situation that leads to a drunk driving arrest. If a police officer observes a motorist driving erratically, chances are they will pull you over and check for driving while under the influence. They will ask for a driver’s license and registration and then will ask if you have been drinking. If so, they will ask you to step out of the car so they can administer field sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line heel-to-toe, tipping your head back and touching your nose, reciting the alphabet or standing on one leg for 30 seconds. These examples are not easy to perform if one is intoxicated; therefore making it a favorite tool for the officer to use to establish if the offender is intoxicated. If the officer does not perform these tests, they can give the offender a breathalyzer or take you to the police station for a blood or urine test. If you have been issued any type of test please contact an attorney right away as there might be mistakes with the equipment or a host of other items that a quality DUI attorney can use to dismiss the case.

The law requires the arresting police officer must immediately forward a copy of the completed suspension notice or revocation form and the driver’s license, with a sworn report to the DMV. The DMV will conduct a review of the officer's report, the suspension or revocation order, and any test results. If this has happened to you, you need to get help right away. You may request a hearing to contest the suspension or revocation within 10 days of receipt, and will be notified by the DMV in writing only if the suspension or revocation is set aside following the review.

A breath, blood or urine test is given to determine if there is a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more; it is lower for minors. Law enforcement can also arrest an offender for being impaired when their BAC is lower than 0.08%.

If a blood, breath or urine test is refused at the time of arrest and it’s a first offense, the offender’s license will be suspended for one year. A second offense within ten years will result in a suspension of two years, and a third within ten years will result in a three-year suspension. If this is only your first offense you really should seek legal help from a lawyer that specializes in defense of DUI.

If the officer issues an Order of Suspension or temporary license, the offender may drive for 30 days from the date issued providing their driver’s license has not expired, or their driving privileges have not been suspended or revoked for some other reason. If the Order shows they have ten days to request a hearing, this gives them the chance to show the suspension is not justified.

Defending a DUI in Murrieta

DUI (Driving under the Influence) is a serious offense and if the offender has been charged with it, they should seek legal help immediately. Using a qualified Murrieta DUI attorney can be very beneficial to your case. A DUI attorney concentrates specifically on a drunk driving defense and knows the DUI laws and the offender’s rights.

Since the offender is now concerned with having a drinking problem or perhaps a substance abuse problem, he or she will need information to prevent this problem again. A DUI attorney can offer information related to these kinds of issues, such as breath testers, alcohol analyzer systems and educational videos. A DUI is one of the most complex offenses and the offender needs to be defended properly. The consequences in a case like this are high. This information will help the offender to understand what’s involved for the future.

If you live in Murrieta but have been arrested elsewhere you need to be aware that there are also different terms used for this criminal offense. Depending on where you are, this criminal offense (Vehicle Code Section 23152) may be referred to as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving While Impaired (also DWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI).

Penalties for a DUI

Every year, DUI laws and penalties become more severe. They no longer consist of a warning or an escorted police trip home. In some cases they can be more extreme than in a felony case. You must understand the consequences if you choose to drink and drive. Depending on the jurisdiction,

First time offenders may be fined $1,500 and also placed on probation.

In addition, the court and/or DMV may take your driver's license. This license may be critical if needed to get to and from your job.
Your car could be impounded and ignition "interlocks" could be required.
You will have to attend special DUI schools, which usually cost hundreds of dollars.
Many states impose a jail sentence for first offenders. A second conviction will almost certainly include jail.
Other penalties include suspension of a license of up to one year for the first offense.
- Three years for the second offense and five years for the third offense.
- Having the license revoked permanently.
- Performing community service is usually a condition of the sentence.
- Also, there are fines ranging from $200 to thousands of dollars plus impound fees, court costs, attorney fees.

This entire incident consisting of bail, a DUI defense attorney, treatment programs, and fines can reach over $5,000 excluding more if an accident took place at the time. Further, car insurance rates will increase thousands of dollars over the next few years because the driver now falls into a high-risk category. Lastly, a criminal conviction can be placed on the offender’s record. This is all for a respected citizen who had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel.

The license will be returned to the offender at the end of the suspension or revocation, and after the offender pays a $125 reissue fee to the DMV along with proof of financial responsibility. This fee will be $100 if under age 21 and suspended under the Zero Tolerance Law. If it is determined that there is not a basis for the suspension or revocation, the license will be issued or returned.

Vehicle sanction - could include impoundment for about six months depending on the offense, registration revocation and having an ignition interlock device attached.
Mandatory sanction - which requires minimum punishments set by the state or particular county laws that may include jail, fines, license suspension – just to name a few.
The law states that drivers under the age of twenty-one are not allowed to have alcohol in their systems while driving. If caught, they can face their license being taken away for one year. A minor found with blood alcohol content over the legal limit of .08 can be sentenced as an adult. This is known as a Zero Tolerance Law. This license can be suspended for four months providing it is a first time offense. A second offense that occurs within ten years can result in a license suspended for one year.

Drunk driving convictions can impact employment opportunities and the offender’s future. Drivers with a DUI on their record will find they will not be able to get professional driving jobs, such as delivery vans or taxi drivers.

What can the public do?

Anti-drinking campaigns have been created to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while intoxicated and the legal rights involved. Every year many are killed from drunk drivers who get behind the wheel. In some jurisdictions, a person who is convicted of injuring or killing someone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be given a lengthy prison sentence.

The nationwide crackdown on DUI continues to go on. The consequences for a person charged with DUI are higher than ever. The safeguards have been streamlined at the expense of the defendant.

Every year thousands of offenders are killed and seriously injured in alcohol-related automobile accidents. The financial costs of these accidents result in billions of dollars. In a true democracy every person has a moral responsibility to respect the life of another person. This should be remembered by those who choose to drink and drive. Hopefully, in the future, each person will remember this before they drink and then get behind a wheel of a vehicle. A person who chooses to stay sober while driving is not only using good judgment, but is not destroying another’s life.

If your case is accepted by us then you can count on the following:

Quick and responsive measures taken to get your driving privileges reinstated.
Personal attention from one of our exclusive DUI only attorneys.
In most cases you will not even need to appear in court.
Exhaustive analysis of any and all tests performed by the police.
Free initial consultation either at our office in Murrieta, over the phone or at a place of your choice. Your privacy and protection are our concern.
We accept all major credit cards.

Serving, Murrieta clients and the Southwest Justice Center. If you have been arrested for DUI outside of Murrieta please call our office and we will let you know if we can handle your case.

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Murrieta DUI Attorneys