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If you’ve been charged with a DUI in San Diego, you’ll need to find a highly qualified DUI lawyer in San Diego to take your case. Having an advocate to navigate you through the court system will be invaluable to your peace of mind and, ultimately, the outcome of your case. If you’ve just been arrested for DUI it is in your best interest to learn all the applicable San Diego DUI laws you’ll be subject to. These laws are discussed below.

Why do I need a DUI Lawyer in San Diego?

In San Diego California, the DUI laws are very tough. Below are the charges you are most likely facing;

23152(a) It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

23152(b) It is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood.

In most cases, both the 23152 (a) and 23152 (b) offenses will be charged. Although only 1 act was performed the law clearly states that a suspect charged with drunk driving can be (and in almost every instance is) convicted of both the (a) and (b) offenses. The law also clearly states that the person can only be punished for 1 of the above offenses (the punishments are nearly identical though).

As you can see, having a San Diego DUI lawyer is critical to the success of your case. While you can defend yourself in your DUI case, a San Diego DUI lawyer will help you navigate the tough local laws through experience and personal connections.

How do I know which DUI lawyer in San Diego to choose?

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a DUI lawyer in San Diego. You need to make appointments with several lawyers to interview them about their practice and relevant experience. A good DUI lawyer in San Diego will have an experienced track record of success with DUI cases and some important contacts to call on. You should find out how many DUI cases the lawyer you select has defended and more importantly the outcomes of those cases within San Diego County.
A good DUI lawyer in San Diego county will be your personal advocate in court and will be able to attend all of the required court proceedings on your behalf. This will allow you to avoid the stressful, time-consuming court appearances unless the law requires you to specifically appear.

You should also find out how long your San Diego DUI lawyer has been in practice. Of course, your best bet for a good DUI lawyer would be someone who has years of experience under his/her belt. Selecting your lawyer based on cost is not usually the best option as the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ is especially true when selecting your DUI defense team.

Meet With A DUI Lawyer in San Diego

When you’re in the initial phases of searching for a San Diego DUI lawyer, you shouldn’t have to spend any money. A reputable San Diego DUI lawyer will be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your case. At this initial meeting you’ll find out more about the fees in relation to your specific DUI charge. At the very least you should meet with several DUI lawyers in San Diego to discuss your case, get some important free information and make your important decision about who will represent you on this very serious charge.

By: Tim H

DUI refers to driving under the influence of alcohol. A person is charged with DUI if the blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.08%. DUI is a criminal offence and extremely strict penalties are awarded to people arrested for DUI. Apart from vehicle impoundment or fines, the license of the person can also be confiscated and at time termination of the same may also take place. On being charged with drunk driving or being intoxicated through the use of alcohol or drugs, or perhaps arrested, an efficient California DUI lawyer can provide assistance in obtaining bail and dealing with charges surrounding DUI. They also protect drivers who have their licenses suspended provisionally, drivers who are charged with rash driving, attending DMV hearings, and other driving violation related legal issues.

Often people living in California, as well as visitors from other states and countries, may not be familiar with the various California vehicle code sections. DUI lawyers are well familiar with the sections for rash driving, DUI charges, drug-associated charges, causing accidents related to DUI, and punishments that may be inflicted. They warn people against mistakes that can be avoided while dealing with their charge, and challenging a DUI charge. While the services of an experienced and efficient lawyer may be expensive, there are many DUI lawyers who provide quality service for lower prices.

Many DUI lawyers also work on contingency basis. When the contract to pay a lawyer in case of a DUI is based on contingency, the fee is always set at a prearranged percentage of whatever the compensation amount might be. If the case is lost, the person does not have to pay the lawyer’s fees. Paying on contingency can enable people to hire the services of an expensive attorney, even though they may not be in a position to pay for it. This allows them the opportunity to avail of the services of an experienced lawyer at a minimal fee.

DUI is a criminal offense and as such, a person charged with DUI should not take this charge lightly. Hiring a cheap lawyer always may not prove to be a wise option, especially when the lawyer’s track record with that sort of case is not particularly strong.

By: Ken Marlborough