Chico DUI Lawyer

What is the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) Limit in California?

The standard BAC limit in CA is 0.08%, the underage BAC limit is 0.02% and the aggravated BAC limit is 0.16%. If you are pulled over for DUI, it is required that you give implied consent before performing a BAC test. Additionally, you can also be charged with a DUI for driving while under the influence of any drug.

Bob handles DUI cases involving:

• First, second- and third-offense misdemeanor DUI
• Fourth-offense felony DUI
• Underage DUI
• Prescription drug DUI
• DUI causing injury
• DUI causing a fatality
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Gross vehicular manslaughter

After a DUI arrest, you may feel hopeless, as if there is nothing you can do about it. That is the wrong attitude to take. A thorough investigation into any DUI charge may reveal flaws and inconsistencies that can challenge the prosecution’s case against you. Our skilled Chico DUI lawyer can assess your situation and craft an effective defense to protect your rights and your freedom.

What Are the Penalties for a DUI in California?

Our criminal defense attorney is well-versed in all of the legal strategies that can be used to fight a DUI conviction. We can carefully scrutinize what actually occurred just before, during, and after your arrest. From there, we can analyze those issues and ensure that you receive the excellent legal representation that has earned us a strong reputation in our community.

If convicted, you could face penalties such as:

• License suspension or revocation
  • 6 months for a 1st offense
  • 2 years for a 2nd offense
  • Up to 10 years for a 3rd offense
• Jail or prison time
  • Up to 48 hours for a 1st offense
• Heavy fines
  • Ranging from nearly $2,000-18,000 depending on the offense
• Probation
  • Ranging from 3-5 years
• DUI school
  • May include alcohol education, assessment and treatment
• Community service
  • Ranging from 24-50 hours for a 1st offense
  • Up to 200+ hours for a repeat offender
• Increased auto insurance premiums
  • Will vary based on circumstances but may increase by up to 143% or more
• Possible vehicle confiscation
  • May be impounded for up to 30 days for a 1st offense
  • Will be impounded for 30-90 days for a repeat offender
• Installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device
  • Mandatory for a 3rd offense

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in California?

A DUI will stay on your criminal record for the rest of your life unless you can get it expunged. DUIs remain on your driving record with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for ten years. The ten-year-clock begins ticking the day of your arrest. After the ten years have expired, the DUI will no longer be held against you on your driving record. Now, let’s say you get a second DUI within ten years of the first. Your penalties will increase because you have a “prior DUI” on your record. After ten years, the DUI will no longer be held against you and any subsequent DUI would be treated as a first offense. Even so, your first DUI doesn’t actually disappear from your record completely. Law enforcement and employers will still be able to view the record. In that way your conviction will remain on your record forever. The only way to get it removed entirely is through a process known as “expunction.”

Your Case is Not Hopeless

Police officers can make mistakes, breathalyzers can malfunction, blood samples can be contaminated, and medical conditions can create false BAC readings. There are countless issues that could invalidate your arrest. Our Chico DUI attorney can advocate on your behalf through a detailed investigation and application of California law.