Azusa DUI Attorney

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is not only extremely dangerous for the impaired driver and all other drivers around them, but it is also a serious criminal offense. Every state has unique laws pertaining to DUI and enforces various penalties based on the severity of a DUI offense and the offender’s record of previous DUI violations. If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI in Azusa, CA, you need defense counsel you can trust from an Azusa DUI attorney. Regardless of whether you face a first-time DUI charge or have a record of multiple past DUIs, you need defense representation to avoid the worst penalties conviction might entail or prove your innocence if you have been wrongfully accused.

DUI Defense in Azusa, CA

The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores can provide the criminal defense representation you need when faced with DUI charges in Azusa, CA. Attorney Flores has a professional record of thousands of past DUI cases and can apply this experience to your Azusa DUI case. Our firm knows how local prosecutors tend to pursue convictions in these cases and can help you navigate the most complex details of your case with confidence. The sooner you reach out to our firm and secure representation, the better your chances of avoiding conviction or at least minimizing your penalty as much as the law allows.

Why Hire an Azusa DUI Lawyer?

Whenever an American citizen is charged with a criminal offense, they have the right to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution. Even if they cannot afford to hire an attorney or do not wish to incur the expense of hiring private defense counsel, the court must ensure they have accessible defense counsel from a public defender if they so choose. While it may seem simple enough to have a public defender represent you for free, it’s vital to know the differences between what a public defender can offer to your DUI case and what you could expect from a seasoned Azusa DUI attorney.

Most public defenders are very hardworking and capable attorneys, but the nature of their work requires them to handle several cases at a time. This inherently prevents them from devoting much personal attention to any given case. As a result, even the best public defenders may only be able to offer an hour or two on any given day to a single case. By comparison, when you choose a private Azusa DUI lawyer to represent you, you can expect a much higher degree of defense counsel and more personalized representation from your attorney.

When you choose the Law Office of Daniel P. Flores to represent you in a DUI case, we immediately investigate the details of your arrest and booking to ensure the arresting officers upheld your constitutional rights and followed the laws of due process. Once we have assessed the legality of your DUI charges, we’ll begin working closely with you to determine your best options for defense.

Essential Things to Remember During a DUI Arrest

If the police pull you over in Azusa, CA, it’s easy to feel nervous and unsure of how to approach the situation. It’s vital to keep a few best practices in mind whenever you are stopped by law enforcement, especially on suspicion of DUI:

• Do not say anything that might incriminate you. Depending on why the police stopped you, they will ask you several questions, such as how fast you think you were going, where you are coming from, and where you are going. Answer their questions honestly and concisely but do not admit fault for anything.
• Be respectful. If you are combative or hostile with the police, this will only work against you, even if you know you have done nothing wrong. Be polite and reasonable. If the police seem overly aggressive with you and you know you have done nothing wrong, remember that the law is on your side, and responding with the hostility of your own will only work against you.
• Comply if you are arrested. If the police tell you that they are arresting you for DUI, do not attempt to fight them on this. Doing so could lead to additional criminal charges, including resisting arrest or even assault of a police officer. On the other hand, suppose you believe the police have failed to establish probable cause or have otherwise conducted an unlawful arrest. In that case, it is essential to maintain the high road, stay calm through the arrest and booking processes, and work with an Azusa DUI attorney to avoid conviction.

The police must establish probable cause to conduct a DUI arrest in California. Every state has different standards when it comes to when and how police may conduct DUI arrests. Many drivers are unfortunately unaware of the full scope of their rights and the responsibilities of the police, and this often leads to excessive penalties or even unlawful arrests.

Understanding Field Sobriety Tests and CA Implied Consent

California enforces an implied consent law when it comes to drivers suspected of DUI. All drivers must submit to chemical testing for DUI if they are lawfully arrested for DUI. Many drivers mistakenly believe that if a police officer asks them to take a field sobriety test, California’s implied consent law requires them to submit to the test. This is only true for drivers under 21 who are not legally allowed to consume alcohol and drivers who are on probation for prior DUI convictions. If you are suspected of DUI in a traffic stop, and the police ask you to perform a field sobriety test, there is no legal obligation for you to agree to this. However, you need to submit to a chemical test if the police arrest you for DUI.

Police must carefully establish probable cause to conduct a lawful DUI arrest. This means the arresting officers must observe unambiguous evidence that the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For example, if a police officer observes a driver swerving and driving erratically, this alone would not be enough to justify an arrest for DUI. However, if the police officer conducts a traffic stop and smells alcohol, notices open alcohol containers in the vehicle, or observes the driver displaying apparent signs of intoxication, this would be sufficient for establishing probable cause and arresting the driver for DUI.

When the police conduct a chemical test for DUI in California, they check the suspect’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC), a measure of how much alcohol is in the suspect’s bloodstream. These tests can also detect the presence of various illegal drugs if they were consumed recently. The police will use the chemical test results to justify formal charges against the driver, and a DUI case begins.

Potential Penalties for DUI Conviction in Azusa, CA

A first-time DUI charge in Azusa, CA, is a “wobbler” under California state law. This means the unique details can cause it to “wobble” between the misdemeanor and felony levels. For example, if you were arrested for DUI but did not cause an accident or hurt anyone, you would likely qualify for misdemeanor prosecution and face lighter penalties than you would at the felony level. However, if you have a record of a prior DUI conviction within 10 years or caused an accident that resulted in injury or death, you will likely face felony DUI charges.

Penalties for DUI in California fluctuate greatly based on several factors. Typically, any DUI can potentially result in several punishments, including:

• Driver’s license suspension. A first-time misdemeanor DUI will likely lead to a four-month suspension of your driver’s license. However, it’s possible to negotiate a restricted license if you need to drive for work. It is also possible to avoid suspension by agreeing to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed on your vehicle.
• Mandatory IID installation. An IID is generally not required for a first-time DUI, but if the defendant does not have an IID installed, they’ll face an administrative driver’s license suspension from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The IID requirement can extend from six months to several years depending on whether the defendant has a record of prior DUI convictions.
• Fines. The absolute minimum fine for a DUI in Azusa, CA, is $390, but fines can escalate based on the details of the case and the severity of the DUI offense. Fines for felony DUI start at $1,015 and increase at the judge’s discretion.
• Penalty assessments. In addition to the base fine, the defendant in a DUI case will also face other financial penalties in the form of penalty assessments, typically incurred to cover the cost of the case unfolding in the court system. The amount of penalty assessments depends on the unique variables in play in the case.
• Incarceration. DUI conviction at the misdemeanor level may lead to incarceration in county jail, while felony DUI conviction will lead to incarceration in a California state prison. The length of the jail or prison term depends on the details of the case. For example, a first-time misdemeanor DUI could lead to up to six months in county jail, while a DUI with injury could lead to five days to one year in county jail. A first offense felony DUI could lead to 16 months to 16 years in prison.
• DUI school. Individuals convicted of DUI offenses in Azusa may need to attend mandatory DUI classes at their own expense. For example, a first-time misdemeanor offense would lead to three to nine months of DUI classes, while a felony DUI conviction could require 18 months or 30 months of mandatory DUI school.
• Participation in victim impact panels. A judge may compel a defendant to attend various victim impact panels so they can better understand the risks they pose to others when they drive under the influence, such as the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel.

Along with these penalties, a defendant convicted of DUI in Azusa, CA, would also face personal and professional consequences for their actions. They may be barred from working in certain positions or even lose professional licenses. Ultimately, even a first-time DUI can lead to severe penalties that impact the defendant’s life for many years to come.

Marijuana DUI in California

California has some of the most progressive cannabis laws in the United States. It is legal for adults over 21 to purchase, possess, and consume cannabis and cannabis products in their homes. It is, however, still illegal to operate a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. Unfortunately, marijuana remains detectable in a person’s bloodstream for much longer than the intoxicating effects last. Therefore, if you have been arrested for a marijuana DUI in Azusa, CA, you need a defense attorney who knows how to challenge the testing used in your case.

If You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI, Our Azusa Attorneys Can Help

Finding the right Azusa DUI attorney to represent you is an essential step toward avoiding the worst penalties you face in your DUI case. Whether you made a mistake and broke the law, or you have been wrongfully charged with a DUI offense you did not commit, reliable defense counsel is the best asset you can have on your side in this challenging situation.

The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores can provide the defense counsel you need in the face of a DUI charge in Azusa, CA. We know how alienating and distressing it can be to consider all the potential penalties you face and the long-term effects a DUI conviction would have on your life. Our goal is to provide the comprehensive and client-focused legal counsel you need to confidently approach this difficult situation.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Azusa, a DUI attorney is the best asset you can have on your side, and you need to work quickly to start building your defense. The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores is ready to provide the defense representation you need in your Azusa DUI case. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with an Azusa DUI lawyer to get the answers to your most important legal questions.