Oakland DUI Lawyer

Alameda County DUI Defense Attorney Paul Burglin

Experienced Representation for People Charged With Drunk Driving in Alameda County

When visiting Oakland or Alameda County, there are plenty of things to do and see. From restaurants and bars to wineries and casinos, there is something for everyone. However, it is important to be aware that the police tend to patrol the county's roads at all times of the day and night, looking for any excuse to stop drivers and perform arrests for driving under the influence. If you are driving a rental car, you may be pulled over because your headlights were not working properly or because you drove slowly while keeping an eye out for a place to stay. These traffic stops often lead to arrests for drunk driving.

An arrest for DUI is a frightening event, especially for someone who does not have much experience with law enforcement. Those who are arrested may be held in police custody for several hours, their cars may be towed, and they may even miss a plane and struggle to determine how they can return home after this traumatic experience.

The penalties for an Oakland DUI conviction can be severe. A person will usually face a California driver's license suspension and a criminal charge in the Alameda County Superior Court. The consequences of this mess will be determined by a number of factors, including the basis for the traffic stop, how field sobriety tests were performed, and how accurate the results of a BAC test were. In many cases, the outcome of a case will depend on whether a person was represented by an experienced DUI defense attorney who is properly educated in matters related to drunk driving and the potential defenses that are available. In some situations, charges may be dropped or reduced, and you may be able to avoid the suspension of your driver's license.

To avoid the damaging effects of a DUI arrest and minimize the potential penalties of a conviction, you should seek counsel from an attorney who has been Board-Certified by the National College of DUI Defense. There are only five lawyers in the state of California who have achieved this recognition, which shows that a person has extensive knowledge and skill in this field of law as well as significant experience representing clients in DUI cases.

Driving Under the Influence

	Oakland DUI Process ► If you are arrested on suspicion of DUI, you will typically be booked into the Alameda County jail, and a court date will be set. In some cases, you may receive a citation and be released. Either way, it is advisable to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. With an attorney representing you, you may not need to appear in court personally. If you are charged with a felony, you may be required to pay bail before you can be released, and you will most likely be required to appear in Court with your attorney.
	Oakland DUI Charges & Penalties ► Even for a first offense, a DUI arrest in Oakland may result in significant penalties. If you refused a chemical BAC test, you may receive an administrative driver's license suspension for four months or one year. You could face fines and penalties of around $2,300, as well as potential jail time of up to six months. In any car you own or drive, the court may require you to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed.
	California DUI Laws ► In California, the laws related to drunk driving laws are severe. A driver convicted of DUI is typically charged with two criminal offenses: driving under the influence (DUI) and operating a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more. Additional penalties for higher BAC results or refusal of a chemical test may be applied. In addition, the California DMV will take action to impose a driver's license suspension.