Whittier DUI Attorney

Whittier DUI Lawyer

Being pulled over for a DUI is no laughing matter. The state of California takes driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol very seriously, so you could face steep DUI penalties. That’s why you need a skilled Whittier DUI attorney on your side.

Trust The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores

The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores has represented countless clients facing DUI charges. We have a thorough understanding of DUI laws and their application to your specific situation, and we are committed to providing a robust defense. If there’s no way to avoid a guilty conviction, we can help you minimize its negative impact.

Why Hire a DUI Attorney?

In 2023, the police arrested 5,557 drivers for DUIs. While that’s slightly down from previous years, it’s still a startlingly high number. This should come as no surprise, given that driving under the influence can have devastating consequences, with 277 fatalities occurring in Los Angeles County alone. However, it doesn’t mean drivers suspected of DUIs should not take every possible step to protect their rights.

If you’re facing a conviction for driving under the influence, the first thing you should do is to hire a DUI attorney. A Whittier DUI lawyer will be able to evaluate the evidence and come up with an effective defense strategy to protect you against the harsh consequences of a DUI conviction.

Effective Defense Strategies for DUIs

The potential penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe, with 66,568 Californians facing license suspension in 2020 alone, but a solid defense strategy can get the charges reduced or even dropped. Your DUI attorney will be able to evaluate the details of your case and decide what strategy will be most effective. Some of the most common of them include:

• Challenging the initial stop: The police can only pull you over or arrest you if they have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a law violation. Your lawyer may argue that the police had no cause to pull you over or to arrest you.
• Illegal search and seizure: A breathalyzer test is technically considered a search, and an unlawful search and seizure is one of the things the US Constitution protects individuals against. If the police pulled you over without just cause, they didn’t have the right to perform a search. Challenging the DUI arrest could help your attorney get the charges dropped or reduced.
• Failure to read your rights: If the police arrest you for a DUI, they must read you your Miranda warnings at that time. If they didn’t, your attorney may request that any statements you made to police at the time be omitted from the record.
• Incorrect administration of tests: There are certain policies and procedures the police must follow when administering field sobriety tests. If the investigating officer doesn’t follow them, your attorney may be able to get the results of the test omitted as evidence.
• Accuracy of breath tests: Breathalyzers are generally accurate, as are chemical blood and urine tests. However, they must be calibrated properly to give accurate results. Your attorney may be able to argue that the machine was not properly calibrated if records show that this was the case.
• Rising blood alcohol concentration: A common defense strategy in the absence of police misconduct refers to the fact that blood alcohol concentration continues to rise after you stop drinking. If your BAC was just over the legal limit, your attorney may be able to argue that it was below the limit when you were pulled over and only rose above it when you reached the station and underwent the test.

Even if none of these defense strategies are applicable to your case, an attorney may still be able to help. Lawyers can often negotiate plea bargains that reduce or eliminate jail time and find ways to avoid or lessen the burden of license suspensions, especially for first-time offenders.

FAQs About Whittier, CA DUI Attorney

Will I Go to Jail for My First DUI in California?

You may or may not go to jail for your first DUI in California. The state reserves the right to impose a sentence of up to six months for a first offense. However, many first-time offenders face only fines, probation, and mandated DUI classes. You can minimize your chances of going to jail by working with an experienced lawyer.

What Percent of DUI Cases Get Dismissed in California?

There is no known percentage of DUI cases that get dismissed in Whittier, California. The chances of having your charges dropped will vary depending on the quality of the evidence provided by each side, the specifics of the case, and the effectiveness of your DUI attorney. Your case is also more likely to be dismissed or have the charges reduced if it’s a first-time offense.

Should I Plead Guilty to a DUI in California?

You should not plead guilty to a DUI in California before consulting an attorney. A DUI attorney can evaluate the evidence, talk to any witnesses, and determine whether pleading guilty is the right course of action. If it is, your attorney may be able to negotiate a plea deal with optimal terms.

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

A DUI stays on your criminal record indefinitely in California unless you successfully have it expunged. However, it will be removed from your driving record after ten years. When it comes to background checks, a DUI conviction may still appear on records even after ten years have passed, particularly for government jobs or professional licenses.

Meet Your West Covina DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer – Daniel P. Flores

Criminal Defense Attorney

With experience in over 2,000 DUI and criminal cases, he has a proven track record of successfully defending clients throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Daniel is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and is certified to administer the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests—the same training law enforcement receives. His deep understanding of DUI investigation procedures and extensive trial experience provide his clients with a formidable defense.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Find a Whittier DUI Attorney

If you’ve been accused of a DUI, the first step you should take is to find a Whittier DUI attorney who can help. Daniel P. Flores, the lead attorney at The Law Office of Daniel P. Flores, has represented clients in over 2,000 criminal and DUI cases. Learn how our team can assist you with your specific situation. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.

Whittier, CA DUI Law Resources:

• What Is the Average DUI Sentence in California?
• How Long After a DUI Can You Get a CDL in California?
• What Is the Most Common Sentence for a DUI in California?
• California DUI Laws and Penalties