Santa Ana, CA DUI Lawyer

If you think getting a DUI is not a big deal, think again. DUIs in California can come with life-altering consequences, and they stay on your criminal record permanently, meaning they can continue to affect you and your life goals for years down the line. 

If you have been charged with DUI and want any chance of beating conviction, you need the help of experienced Santa Ana DUI lawyers who can advise you on the moves to make and the strategies to employ.

The lawyers of Confianza Legal have over two decades of experience helping our clients get their DUI charges reduced or dismissed. We cover DUI and related charges ranging from a first-time infraction to involuntary vehicular manslaughter. 

Reach out today for a free in-depth no-obligation case assessment and learn how we can be your champions in this battle.  

Penalties For A DUI In California

When you are charged with a DUI in California, the specific circumstances of your arrest will determine whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony and, consequently, which penalties you will be subject to. DUIs become much more intense when you have multiple on your record, were driving on a suspended license, had a child passenger in your car, or caused extensive injury or property damage.

If you are convicted of your DUI, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, you are facing consequences that potentially include: 

• Jail time
• Heavy fines
• License suspension
• Probation 
• Mandatory driving courses
• Having an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle

And more! It’s best to understand, also, that these are just the legal penalties you are facing. A DUI conviction can have social consequences, such as a damaged reputation among your family or social circle. It can also bar you from accessing certain jobs, housing, university courses and, in extreme cases, custody of your child. It can even impact your finances since you could be dropped from your insurance.

Clearly these penalties are nothing to sneeze at! In order to have a defense that has the best chance of having your charges reduced or dropped, it is imperative that you contact our Santa Ana DUI lawyers right away. 

How Our Santa Ana DUI Lawyers Can Help

When you work with Confianza Legal, we will review the specifics of your charges and put together a strategy to defend you that has the best chance of shielding you from the harsh penalties associated with DUI. Without knowing the circumstances of your arrest, it is impossible to say what strategy would be the best bet for your defense. However, here are some tactics we could conceivably use: 

• We might prove that any breath or blood tests you performed were inaccurate
• We might accuse the police of a false stop or misconduct
• We might challenge the veracity of any field sobriety tests you performed
• We might argue that you were not read your Miranda rights
• We might prove that any search of your vehicle was illegal
• We might argue that you were unknowingly intoxicated against your will

All of these strategies and more have the potential to clear your name, but you need the right legal team behind you in order to land on the most suitable strategy and deploy it effectively. 

Confianza Legal Can Be Your Legal Champion

At Confianza Legal, we value your rights and liberties, and we will work overtime to defend them if that’s what it takes. When you are threatened with DUI charges, we act as your greatest legal advocates and fight for you to retain your freedom. Reach out to schedule a free in-depth no-obligation consultation and learn how we can be your champions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse to take a breathalyzer test if I am pulled over?

Yes, you are within your rights to refuse to take a breathalyzer test or perform a field sobriety test up until the point you are arrested, after which you must submit to any chemical testing you are ordered to.

How long does a DUI stay on my record?

A DUI is on your record permanently unless you are able to get an expungement, which is only available in very limited circumstances.

Can I be charged with a DUI if I only smoked marijuana before driving?

Yes, you can still be charged with a DUI after consuming marijuana. However, it might be harder for prosecutors to prove that you were driving under the influence.