Walnut Creek DUI Lawyer
Aggressive Defense Against DUI Charges in Contra Costa County, California
A DUI can happen to anyone at the worst possible time. It seems normal for many people to have a few beers and then hop in their car and drive. Before you know it, a police officer pulls you over, asks you to do Field Sobriety Tests, and arrests you for DUI. It happens in the blink of an eye and can be one of the scariest times in your life.
Is It Worth Getting a DUI Lawyer in California?
A DUI arrest in California can have severe penalties and life-long consequences. A DUI lawyer can help you guide the legal system and may be able to get your criminal charges reduced or dropped.
At Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation, our Walnut Creek DUI lawyer, we understand the stakes in these cases for our clients and do everything we can to minimize the impact of these DUI charges in Contra Costa County.
Have you been accused of driving under the influence in California? Call Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation today at (925) 208-4801 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our DUI attorney in Walnut Creek!
What are the Penalties For a DUI in California?
The consequences of a DUI conviction include jail time, fines, license suspension, DUI educational classes, and possibly the required installation of an ignition interlock device. The penalties for a DUI vary depending on whether it is a first offense or multiple offenses. A conviction for DUI will remain on your record for ten years. In California, drunk driving penalties include the following:
1st Offense DUI
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Between $390 to $1,000 in fines
- License suspension for 6 months
- Installation of Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for up to 6 months
2nd Offense DUI
- Between 96 hours to 1 year in jail
- Between $390 to $1,000 in fines
- License suspension for 2 years
- IID installation for 1 year
3rd Offense DUI
- Between 120 days to 1 year in jail
- Up to $1,800 in fines
- License suspension for 3 years
- IID installation for 2 years
California DUI With Injury
California is cracking down on DUI offenders, and if there was an injury involved in your accident while driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, the consequences might be high, and you could be facing fines and jail time. If you were arrested for a DUI that caused injuries, you might be facing the following:
- A felony DUI conviction
- 1 to 4 years in jail or prison
- A strike on your driving record
- A 5 year suspension of your license
- A mandatory 18 to 30 month sobriety course
Misdemeanor vs. Felony DUI Charges
Most DUIs are charged as misdemeanors. If this is your first, second, or third offense, then your case will most likely be filed as a misdemeanor. There are, however, some circumstances in which drunk driving will be considered a felony in California—exposing the accused to serious consequences.
When Is DUI a Felony?
In California, there are three circumstances in which drunk driving can be considered a felony crime. In these instances, lawmakers believe that the accused has demonstrated they are a significant threat to themselves and others.
Drunk driving can be considered a DUI when:
- It is the accused's fourth (or subsequent) drunk driving charge
- It is believed that the accused was responsible for a dangerous collision
- It is determined that the accused has a prior felony DUI conviction
Felony DUIs can carry severe consequences, including prison time. The maximum penalty for a typical felony DUI is a prison sentence of 3 years. However, our clients usually will only serve some actual prison time. Thanks to sentencing laws and Attorney Daly's application of them to his cases, most clients serve, at most: jail time and a probation period.
Penalties for Multiple DUIs
California has created much stricter drunk driving laws in recent years due to the large number of annual arrests. You need a DUI lawyer in Walnut Creek, who will put your best interests first and prioritize your case. Thomas Daly will fight for you.
If you have multiple DUI charges in California, you may be facing:
- Jail time
- Loss of driving privileges
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Mandatory community service
- High insurance premiums
- The loss of your job
Contact Our Walnut Creek DUI Attorney Today
You will probably be released without posting bail if you are arrested for a DUI in California. If other circumstances don’t allow for your release, you will either be able to post bail or be taken to court for your arraignment.
At Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation, our Walnut Creek & Contra Costa County DUI attorney routinely assists clients who are being held in jail. If you have a family member or friend in jail, who wants assistance, quickly call our firm for help. Attorney Daly will instantly get to work to have your family member or friend bailed out, if possible.
If you’re out of jail, you should seek legal counsel immediately. DUI Lawyer, Thomas Daly, can help you through the DMVand court processes for an affordable rate. Thomas has extensive experience with DUI cases and understands the many ways to defend these cases—including knowing what is and is not poor driving, ways the Field Sobriety Tests can be attacked, and ways the breathalyzer or blood test can be scrutinized.
Contact Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation, today to schedule a FREE consultation with our DUI Lawyer in Walnut Creek!