Orange County DUI Defense Attorney

Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer Serving Orange County

DUI Lawyers, Gold & Witham If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI offense in Orange County, you are in serious legal trouble. Law enforcement in the area is dedicated to getting all drunk drivers off the road and are highly motivated to catch and convict those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have been arrested and charged with drunk driving, it is crucial that you contact an Orange County DUI attorney without delay.

At Gold & Witham, the attorneys have decades of combined legal experienced in DUI defense and a record of success in this field. When you are faced with any type of DUI charge, it is crucial that you contact the office for a review and evaluation of your charge. With an understanding of the circumstances surrounding your arrest, it is possible that a strong defense can be launched on your behalf. The Orange County court process can be difficult and you need a powerful attorney on your side to protect your interests and legal rights every single step of the way.

Have you recently been arrested for drunk driving?

In any DUI arrest there are certain procedures that must be followed by law enforcement. Any neglect or variation of the exact procedures required in a DUI arrest can be a strong foundation to build a defense upon. How tests were administered, the history and quality of the testing equipment, the actions taken by law enforcement and other factors may have been improperly done, and upon review of your case, this can be determined by the attorney.

As our team takes care to provide each client with personalized attention and a careful analysis of his or her charges, we are able to build comprehensive defense strategies that locate and expose weaknesses in the prosecuting attorney's case against you. Even though you may have been told that you "failed" a breathalyzer test, an investigation into the matter may reveal that the test was performed by an untrained officer or that the testing equipment was not calibrated in accordance with state standards. Even the smallest detail can turn the entire case around - in your favor. It is simply a matter of providing a thorough review of every aspect of your case to determine the best approach.

Understanding the DUI Arrest Process

The most common sequence of events in any DUI arrest is that a law enforcement officer suspects you of drunk driving due to speeding, erratic or reckless driving. After pulling you over, the officer may administer several field sobriety tests. These tests are evaluated by the officer and he or she decides, based on their observation, if they consider that you may be intoxicated due to issues with balance, coordination and an overall ability to follow instructions. You also will have a blood test or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) or breathalyzer test. If you register at .08% or above, you will be arrested for DUI.

No test is 100% accurate, in particular when it is based on the observation of an individual. The breathalyzer test, while scientific, is also subject to error if the equipment used has not been properly maintained or if the particular device used had historically been found to have registered incorrectly. If you refuse the breath test, your license will automatically be suspended. Even this situation can possibly be defended successfully with a skilled DUI defense attorney.

Field Sobriety Tests
One of the first things a law enforcement officer will do after pulling someone over for drunk driving will be to administer a field sobriety test or a breath or blood test. These tests are helpful to police because they help them determine whether someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, what many people do not realize is that these tests are not completely accurate. In fact, if we find that an error was made in regards to your test, you entire case could be dismissed. We understand this and will do our utmost to ensure that you are not sent to jail based on erroneous information. Field sobriety tests involve three main standardized tests: the walk and turn, the one leg stand, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. The first two test the balance and concentration of the driver, and the third looks for involuntary jerking in the eyes. Read more on field sobriety tests.

Defending Against Orange County DUI Charges

When you work with our firm, an attorney can research each of these details, as well as the procedures used by law enforcement in your arrest. There are strict rules that must be followed in any arrest in California and if the correct procedures are not used, in some cases that is enough to have the case dismissed. An aggressive DUI defense includes looking into any aspect of the case that could work in your favor in a court of law.

T here are several different factors that can be utilized and worked for your benefit. Such aspects as an unlawful police stop, an incorrectly calibrated machine or an improperly administered field sobriety test can all be grounds for your lawyer to build your defense. Also, if it found that you have been subjected to an illegal search and seizure, a successful attorney would be able to help you throw out any evidence that is being held against you.

At our firm, we understand the importance of addressing every aspect of a case and are fully devoted to ensuring that we do not leave a stone unturned. The smallest detail can prove to be the most important aspect of an entire case; we fully understand this and work tirelessly to address every nuance. Even a successful verdict is impossible, you can trust that we will do everything possible to work at reducing the charges and the associated penalties.

License Suspension for DUI in Los Angeles

It is important to be aware that you must schedule a DMV hearing within ten days of your arrest. This is an administrative hearing that determines whether your license will be suspended or revoked. If you do not schedule this hearing, your license will be automatically suspended in 30 days. The scheduling of the hearing as well as the hearing itself can be handled by an attorney at our offices. The attorney representing you at the hearing will present any evidence that could waive the automatic suspension of your license. It is definitely in your best interests to have this handled by an attorney who is experienced in dealing with DMV hearings, if you wish to increase the possibility of a good outcome.

DUI offenses carry severe penalties in California. The suspension or revocation or your license, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, steep fines and jail time as well as community service and alcohol treatment classes are often part of the standard penalties. In some cases your vehicle will be seized. If you have an earlier DUI conviction, the penalties you face are increased radically. Don't take chances with any drunk driving charge. Protect yourself with a high-quality experienced DUI defense attorney from our firm. The attorney takes your case seriously and will treat it with priority handling. The attorneys understand that your future is at stake and that you need an aggressive approach to your defense case.

The Orange County DUI lawyers at our offices are experienced in handling a wide range of DUI-related offenses, including standard DUI charges, vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs, out of state DUI arrests, multiple DUI arrests, DUI auto accidents and felony DUI. Additionally, our Orange County DUI attorneys are experienced in helping clients with DUI expungements, to clear your criminal record. The effects this can have on your future employment, ability to get certain loans, and also your peace of mind are important.

Contact an Orange County DUI attorney from our law firm when you seek high quality, experience and a history of success in defending individuals charged with a DUI offense.