Every Riverside drunk driving case is different and the best way to protect yourself against these penalties is to hire an experienced Riverside DUI lawyer to represent your case.
In Riverside, being convicted on charges of drunk driving, even as a first offense, carries a sentence of up to six months in jail, hefty fines, driver’s license suspension, and mandatory DUI school.
The truth is, two people in similar situations facing the same DUI charges can serve very different sentences depending on the qualifications of their legal counsel.
At Seyb Law Group, our proven history of success in defending clients against DUI charges speaks for itself. Contact our Riverside drunk driving defense lawyer today to find out how we can help you.
AFFORDABLE & AGGRESSIVE RIVERSIDE DUI LAWYER
Our criminal defense attorneys at Seyb Law Group have more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience, and over the years, we have earned a reputation as an honest, compassionate, and aggressive law firm.
The personalized attention we give each client and the passionate and straightforward manner in which we defend our clients against drunk driving charges makes us one of the top criminal defense law firms in Southern California.
Our legal team has represented thousands of individuals accused of drunk driving in Riverside and the surrounding areas, and we have won countless not-guilty verdicts on behalf of our clients.
At Seyb Law Group, we pride ourselves on delivering superior criminal defense representation to our clients and our main goal is to help you get the best possible outcome in your Riverside DUI case.
To that end, we offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation, which means you can assess the strengths and weaknesses of your DUI case with an experienced Riverside DUI lawyer before making the decision to hire representation.
Contact Seyb Law Group today to discuss with our knowledgeable attorneys the best way to defend yourself against Riverside drunk driving charges.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is considered a crime in every state and drunk driving charges in Riverside are handled by a criminal court.
In most Riverside drunk driving cases, a police officer will pull someone over if they are driving dangerously or erratically, but police also sometimes set up Sobriety Checkpoints, where they can randomly stop motorists, question them, and observe them for signs of intoxication.
If an officer pulls you over on the road or stops you at a checkpoint and reasonably believes you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he or she may conduct a Field Sobriety Test or a roadside breathalyzer test to determine whether you are intoxicated.
Whether you consent to the breath test or not, if the officer has probable cause, he or she can arrest you, and once you are in police custody or formally arrested, you will be asked to take a chemical test to measure your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Per California’s Implied Consent law, you have automatically consented to this test upon being arrested for drunk driving, and if you refuse to submit to the test, your driver’s license will be suspended or revoked.
California DUI Vehicle Code § 23152 (a) VC
Under California Vehicle Code § 23152 (a) VC, it is against the law for a person to operate a motor vehicle “under the influence” of alcohol or drugs, meaning the person’s physical or mental abilities are impaired to the extent that he or she is no longer able to drive as well as a cautious sober individual.
This law is the “subjective” standard for drunk driving in Riverside, whereas Vehicle Code § 23152 (b) VC sets the “per se” standard for driving under the influence, which involves driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
Motorists driving commercial vehicles and those under the age of 21 are subject to more stringent standards under Riverside DUI law and can be arrested for drunk driving with a BAC below 0.08%.
PENALTIES FOR A DUI CONVICTION IN RIVERSIDE
Your first thought after being arrested for drunk driving in Riverside is probably what kind of penalties you will be facing.
In the state of California, the court has established a standard punishment for DUI convictions, but the penalties associated with your specific drunk driving charges depend a great deal on the facts of your case, including your BAC, whether you were involved in an accident and if you have any prior drunk driving convictions.
For a misdemeanor first DUI offense with no prior convictions, penalties typically include the following:
- Up to six months in county jail,
- Up to $1,000 in fines,
- A six- to 10-month driver’s license suspension, and
- Three or nine months of DUI school.
For a misdemeanor second DUI offense:
- 96 hours to one year in county jail,
- Up to $1,000 in fines,
- A two-year driver’s license suspension, and
- 18 or 30 months of DUI school.
For a misdemeanor third DUI offense:
- 120 days to one year in county jail,
- Up to $1,000 in fines,
- A three-year driver’s license suspension, and
- 30 months of DUI school.
Most first, second, and third DUI offenses in Riverside are prosecuted as misdemeanors, while fourth and subsequent DUI offenses within a 10-year period are generally prosecuted as felonies.
There are also certain so-called “aggravating factors” that can elevate a DUI offense from a misdemeanor to a felony offense, including causing a DUI accident with injury or death or having a BAC of 0.15% or higher.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A DUI ARREST
Being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be scary and confusing, and it’s easy to make what may turn out to be a grievous mistake if you aren’t familiar with the protocol surrounding Riverside DUI cases.
The following are the two most important steps you can take following a drunk driving arrest in Riverside.
Don’t Talk to the Police
When you are arrested for drunk driving, the law requires that you be read your Miranda rights. According to the Miranda warning, you have the right to remain silent, and we can’t stress enough how important it is to remain silent until you have an attorney present.
Far too often, we see clients who try to talk their way out of DUI charges by explaining that their arrest was a mistake, only to accidentally make an incriminating statement that is later used against them in court.
Keep in mind that from the moment you are placed under arrest, anything you do or say can be used against you in court.
As long as you don’t tell a lie or “resist, delay or obstruct” a police officer in the performance of his or her duties, you are not obstructing justice by remaining silent. The police have the right to question you without an attorney present, but you are not obligated to answer, nor is your decision to remain silent reason enough to convict you of the crime you are accused of committing.
Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney
In addition to your right to remain silent, you also have the right to obtain legal counsel after being arrested for a criminal offense like drunk driving.
Regardless of the circumstances of your case, contacting an experienced DUI defense attorney should be your first course of action following a DUI arrest.
After all, the best defense in a criminal case is one that is prepared as early as possible. By contacting a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney right away, you can significantly improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your case.
Bring your police report and any other documents pertaining to your case to the initial consultation and you will give your lawyer the clearest picture of the criminal charges you are facing and the path to the best possible result.
RIVERSIDE CA DUI DEFENSE
When facing a DUI charge that, if you are convicted, will remain on your criminal record for 10 years, there is nothing more important than building a solid defense that the prosecution won’t be able to poke holes into, and the only way to do that successfully is to hire a professional.
Especially with a third DUI offense or a DUI with injury, your freedom is quite literally on the line and you should never trust your future to a lawyer without a proven track record defending Riverside drunk driving cases.
The details of every Riverside DUI case are unique; there is no cookie-cutter mold to defending yourself against drunk driving charges, and this is the very reason why hiring an attorney with extensive experience in DUI defense is critical to the success of your case.
With a passionate and aggressive Riverside DUI defense attorney on your side, you may be able to secure a more satisfactory result in your case – either a more favorable plea bargain or perhaps even a dismissal of the criminal charges.
Best Defense Strategies in Riverside DUI Cases
To protect yourself against serious Riverside DUI penalties, it is imperative that you devise a strong defense to present to the prosecution and the court. The following are some common defense strategies used in Riverside driving under the influence cases:
- The drunk driving arrest was unlawful
- The arresting officer did not have probable cause to make the initial stop
- Your Miranda rights were violated
- The BAC results from the breath test were inaccurate
- You successfully completed the Field Sobriety Tests
- The Field Sobriety Tests were improperly conducted
- Evidence relating to your breath or blood test was mishandled by police
- There is not enough evidence to support the DUI charge
HOW HIRING A DUI DEFENSE LAWYER CAN HELP
Any time you are facing criminal charges, you have the right to legal representation, and it is always a good idea to take advantage of that right.
Successfully defending against Riverside drunk driving charges is incredibly difficult for anyone who doesn’t have a background in DUI defense and you should never leave your freedom and your future up to an unqualified lawyer.
A criminal defense attorney with experience handling DUI cases will have a clear understanding of Riverside DUI law and will know how best to defend you against drunk driving charges in Riverside. A good DUI defense attorney will perform some or all of the following tasks, and more:
- Examine the facts of your case, interview witnesses, and hire a private investigator
- Research, prepare, file, and argue motions to exclude evidence or dismiss the case
- Meet important filing deadlines
- Outline all possible legal defenses for your case
- Take your case to trial and argue any holes in the prosecution’s case
- Negotiate with the prosecutor with the goal of minimizing your punishment or getting your charges reduced or dismissed altogether
At Seyb Law Group, our DUI defense lawyers are intimately familiar with the criminal justice system and the ever-evolving nature of Riverside drunk driving laws, and we will use every resource at our disposal to build the strongest possible defense in your case.
We will also represent you in your DMV hearing to avoid having your driver’s license suspended or revoked.
CONTACT OUR REPUTABLE DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS TODAY
In addition to the legal ramifications of a drunk driving conviction – jail time, significant fines, probation, alcohol education classes, etc. – a guilty verdict in your DUI case can have other serious consequences as well, possibly impacting your employment opportunities, professional licenses, school applications and your right to possess firearms, among other aspects of your personal and professional life.
At Seyb Law Group, we are passionate about protecting the rights of those accused of driving under the influence in Riverside and the surrounding areas, and we will aggressively defend you against misdemeanor or felony DUI charges.
If you are facing DUI charges in Riverside, don’t put off taking action now that can only help your case later. Consult Seyb Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Riverside DUI defense attorneys.
