San Leandro

DUI Lawyer

While a night out on the town can provide memories that last a lifetime, sometimes too much celebration could also result in a criminal charge for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). When that happens, a San Leandro DUI lawyer could play an important role in how you approach these serious charges.

Nobody sets out to get a DUI, but a DUI conviction can have negative repercussions. No matter the circumstances surrounding your DUI charge, working with an experienced criminal attorney could help you understand more about the legal process involved, as well as what your rights are. En Español.

The Basics of DUI in San Leandro

In general, someone may be charged with DUI if they are (1) driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs where their physical or mental abilities are impaired to such a degree that they no longer have the ability to drive with the caution of a sober person under similar circumstances or (2) driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. While the blood alcohol concentration is evidence of impairment, it is not the only way a law enforcement officer may determine that someone is impaired by alcohol while operating a vehicle. Swerving, slurred speech, and failure to perform sobriety tests may all be cited as evidence of drunk driving justifying a DUI charge.

For individuals with a commercial driver’s license, the threshold for a DUI charge is a BAC over 0.04 percent. This threshold applies no matter what vehicle the licensed driver is operating at the time of the charge, even if it is their own personal vehicle.

Additionally, any individual under the age of 21 may not have a blood alcohol concentration more than 0.01 percent while operating a motor vehicle. This threshold may also apply if the person in question is on probation for a previous DUI-related offense.

Drug-Related DUIs

DUI charges can also result from being under the influence of marijuana or other drugs. Such drugs can include illegal drugs like heroin or even over-the-counter cough medicine. While the science behind testing for such impairment is not yet as reliable as it is for alcohol, being charged with a DUI for driving under the influence of marijuana and/or other drugs still carries the same significant penalties.

Potential Penalties for a DUI Conviction

Upon conviction for a first-time DUI, the ensuing consequences can be severe, including but not necessarily limited to:

• Automatic suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license
• Fines and fees
• Possible requirement to install an ignition interlock device on a personal vehicle depending on the county of conviction (i.e. Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare)
• Possible jail time

There are generally other probationary requirements that must be met as a result of a conviction, including alcohol awareness classes as well as formal probation for a number of years. With each subsequent offense, penalties generally increase in severity and duration.

Let a San Leandro DUI Attorney Help

There is a great deal potentially on the line when it comes to facing DUI charges, even for a first-time offender. However, no matter the circumstances of your DUI charge, you have important rights that should be protected throughout the legal process. Furthermore, you do not have to face such charges alone.

Working with a dedicated, experienced attorney could be an important part of your strategy for facing these serious accusations. If you need help with DUI charges, contact a seasoned San Leandro DUI lawyer today to start exploring what options you may have for defending your best results and resolving your case in a positive way.