DUI Attorney Orange County

Should you find yourself charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Orange County, you can possibly get your charges dismissed with the aid of an experienced DUI lawyer. You should start pursuing this immediately!

If you're visiting this website, it's likely that a member of your family or yourself has encountered a Drunk Driving charge already and requires the skills that experienced legal counsel can offer. Drunk driving can present a very difficult legal maze to navigate through.

'Drunk Driving' and 'DUI' are phrases which we use often, so that says a lot about how familiar we are with these ongoing issues. Those who defend against (DUI)Drunk Driving charges understand that this situation has many phrases which apply to it : Operation Under the Influence (OUI), Operating Motor Vehicle Intoxicated (OMVI), Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII), Driving While Intoxicated (Drunk Driving), and others, like DWUI, DUIL and OWI. Here, you'll simply see the blanket term for these offenses, Drunk Driving. You'll also find that we are the best legal counsel that you can have to guide you through the complex legal maze.

Finding A Good Orange County DUI Lawyer

Obviously, finding an effective Drunk Driving lawyer is the best course of action to take as soon as you expect a problem. Drinking and Driving is considered to be a very serious offense, and the ramifications can be very far-reaching and complex for you, for any victims, and for people in general. Every year, around 500,000 people are harmed within the US because of Drunk Driving incidents, which costs US citizens over 114 billion dollars in taxes.

Those guilty of drinking and driving can have their driving rights immediately revoked, their vehicle taken away, be placed in jail or prison, pay fines, and undergo house arrest - all for one offense. Criminal lawyers progressively make more progress during cases in court, but the numbers of those arrested for Driving Under the Influence are always increasing since 1970 due to new programs and laws which are implemented.

A good criminal lawyer knows everything there is to know about the subtleties of Drunk Driving law. This lawyer index will show you everything you'll want to know, and explain jury trends, sentencing, testing, and other aspects of the process. We are Drunk Driving lawyers. It's our job and profession to understand the law.

What Do You Do If You Are Pulled Over for DUI

When you are being pulled over by a police officer, the first thing you might think to yourself is that you weren't speeding; and then it occurs to you that a traffic ticket could be the least of your worries. The cop comes to your car and makes the standard request: License and registration, please. You get out of the car, and now you know that you're in trouble: The police officer has smelled the beer on you. You'll be taking some tests to determine your sobriety. So now what do you do?

The first thing you should remember is that the police officers are constantly forming opinions and gathering evidence during a Drunk Driving stop. They have several different tests that can be employed to help them determine your ability to drive. In addition to the breathalzyer test, there are several field sobriety tests that you can be asked to take. Failing any of these tests, or simply refusing to take the tests, can result in the driver being arrested and taken to the police station for a blood alcohol content test. This more formal test can be taken through breath, blood or urine. These tests all serve one purpose: To determine the exact level of the subject's blood alcohol level, how impaired the driver is, and whether they can drive safely or are driving while intoxicated.

1) Refuse to take any and all tests.

It's common for people to choose not to take any tests, requesting instead to have their attorney with them. This response is most commonly taken when the subject knows that he or she has been drinking and will not be able to pass any tests that might be given. Field sobreiety tests are typically considered to be optional; however, many states have instituted laws of implied consent. This means that when you get your driver's license, you are essentially agreeing to take an alcohol test if you are arrested under suspicion of (DUI) Drunk Driving. If you live in such a state, then simply refusing to take the test can result in your license being suspended and you may even face jail time.

2) Refuse to take only the field sobriety tests.

The police officer will usually want to give you field sobriety tests. These tests are typically balance and coordination tests and might involve standing on one leg or walking a straight line. They will help the officer to determine how impaired the driver is. The officer will carefully observe how the subject is walking, talking and behaving to help decide if further testing should be done. These tests are typically optional and can be refused.

3) Consent to taking a field breathalyzer test.

Blood tests and urine tests have to be done at the police station as they have been found to be inconsistent and unreliable when used in the field. However, the breathalyzer is easily used in the field and has been found to be effective. There are several different styles of testers, and they each use a different method for testing the blood alcohol content. This test, when performed in the field, is also considered optional.

4) Consent to having all tests done.

While there is a great deal of literature available advising against it, there are many people who will consent to taking the different tests. Some people consent because they simply don't know that they can refuse the tests. Or they might feel that they are in the wrong and believe that they do deserve to be punished under the law. The fact is that the more tests you take, the more evidence the officer will be able to gather should he decide that the subject is Drunk Driving.

5) You can also give consent after initially refusing.

Many states have a set time period during which any DUI tests must be given after the driver is initially stopped. Some states will allow the driver to give consent up to the last minute during that time period. So if you can keep track of the time and watch the clock, your best option might be to wait and give consent for the test at the last minute.

Which route should you choose? The fact is that it depends on your state, the specific laws you are facing and the specific circumstances of your traffic stop. Every test carries different consequences under the law, and those will vary from one state to another. Keep in mind that in many states drivers can be convicted of Drunk Driving even if they refuse to take any tests; merely refusing to take the tests will not keep you safe from the consequences. For this reason, it is important that you learn what your state's laws are so that you will know what to do if the situation should ever arise.

Contact Us Today

If you have been pulled over for drinking and driving, we can help. Need a DUI Attorney in Orange County? Call the Bailey Law Firm for help with your DUI case.