Castro Valley DUI Lawyer

Castro Valley DUI Attorney

California courts take DUI charges seriously. Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding your alleged drunk driving incident, the conviction could impact you for the rest of your life. When facing these charges, you deserve to have someone on your side who is willing to advocate on your behalf and for your future livelihood. Retaining the counsel and representation of a Castro Valley DUI lawyer is essential for your own legal protection.

Being arrested for DUI can be a frightening experience and cause a lot of uncertainty in your life. Therefore, it can prove vital to understand these charges and the penalties that you might face if you are convicted. Fighting DUI charges can be an overwhelming path to take, but with an attorney from the Law Office of Louis J. Goodman, you don’t have to walk it alone. Our DUI lawyers can ensure that your voice is heard in court and you are given a fighting chance.

What Constitutes a DUI in Castro Valley, CA?

In the state of California, a DUI can be issued if a person operates a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances can influence the driver’s reaction to changes in road conditions or to other drivers on the road. When operating a vehicle, drivers have a responsibility to keep others safe, and diminished reaction times can put you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk of harm.

Alcohol is the most common offense and occurs when an individual operates a motorized vehicle with a blood alcohol content, or BAC, of 0.08 percent or higher. Law enforcement may conduct roadside sobriety tests that could include a breathalyzer, or they could prove your BAC through a blood test.

Additionally, if the individual is under the age of 21, their blood alcohol content cannot be higher than 0.01 percent. The same rule applies to those who are currently serving probation. If you are a commercial truck driver or if you are a driver of a passenger-for-hire vehicle, your blood alcohol content level cannot be higher than 0.04 percent.

Alcohol isn’t the only substance that results in driving under the influence charges. It is likewise illegal to operate a motorized vehicle in the state of California while under the influence of marijuana or prescription drugs. If you are found to be doing so, you can be arrested under DUI charges.

Regardless of the specific details of your DUI arrest in Castro Valley, you need an experienced attorney who can examine the evidence while reviewing your case and determine the right path to take in your defense. A lawyer from the Law Office of Louis J. Goodman is here to help.

How an Attorney Can Help

Hiring an attorney is important for your DUI case. When you work with a DUI attorney, you gain valuable experience that can help push back against the charges. There are many ways to defend a DUI charge, and an attorney will combine the facts of your case with the knowledge of the law to determine the defense strategy that may work for you. Common DUI defenses include:

• Improper traffic stop. A law enforcement officer may not pull you over without cause. For the traffic stop to be legal, there must be an infraction to initiate the stop such as exceeding the speed limit, veering outside the lines on the road, ignoring posted traffic signals, and more.
• Improper training. If an officer is not properly trained in performing roadside sobriety tests, they may conduct them improperly, resulting in false testing results. Reviewing dashcam footage, witness statements, and your own testimony can help determine if the tests were conducted properly.
• Faulty blood tests. There are many hands through which blood tests must pass. Improper handling at any point in the testing process could result in a dismissal of the blood test. This includes the proper draw of blood, proper shipment to a testing facility, the testing facility’s procedures and cleanliness, and more.

These are just a few of the defenses that your attorney could use in your DUI defense. Speaking openly and honestly with your attorney about your charges can help ensure they choose the defense that works for you.

FAQs

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in California?

In the state of California, it can be difficult to assign an exact estimate of how much it might cost to hire a lawyer to represent your DUI case in court. There are several factors that affect the final costs. These factors can include if your case includes any aggravating factors, the specific circumstances of your case, and the experience of your attorney. During your initial consultation, you should ask your attorney about the potential costs you could incur.

What Are Some Examples of Aggravating Factors in a DUI Case in California?

In the state of California, there are a few situations that might be deemed as aggravating factors in a DUI case. These can include that the impaired driving resulted in an accident, the blood alcohol content level was exceptionally high, there was loss of life due to the DUI and reckless driving, the individual charged refused a chemical test, or the individual was driving with a minor in the vehicle.

What Are Some Potential Defenses for a DUI Case in California?

In the state of California, depending on the circumstances surrounding your charges, there are several defenses that your attorney might use to seek acquittal, a reduction, or a dismissal of charges. These can include being pulled over without reasonable suspicion, a violation of your Constitutional rights committed, being given a field sobriety test in an incorrect manner, or the chemical test itself being faulty.

Are There Any Alternative Sentencing Options for a DUI in California?

Depending on the case and the severity of the charges, there can be alternative sentencing options for a DUI in California. These might include roadside work and clean-up, community service, alcohol or drug rehabilitation, house arrest or electric monitoring, living in a sober environment, or service to the California Department of Transportation. Your attorney can help you identify possible alternatives to jail sentencing.

Castro Valley DUI Lawyer

DUI charges can have a negative impact on your future and livelihood. It is essential that you find and retain the right defense. The Law Office of Louis J. Goodman can sit down with you, review your case, and determine the right course of action for your case. While these charges can be devastating and bring life-altering consequences, an experienced attorney can help. Contact the Law Office of Louis J. Goodman today.