Petaluma, California DUI Lawyer

Reputable Attorney Representing Clients Facing DUI Charges in Petaluma, CA

A DUI conviction in Petaluma can have a drastic impact on your life. The state of California strictly prosecutes driving under the influence, with consequences ranging from time in prison to the suspension of your driver's license, to name a few. Depending on the circumstances behind your arrest, you could even be charged with a felony, potentially resulting in even harsher penalties.

You should take any charge of DUI seriously, which means contacting an experienced lawyer who can represent you during your criminal case. Attorney Paul Burglin of Burglin Law Offices, P.C. has represented thousands of clients across his career, providing counsel informed by his decades of practice in California DUI law.

Punishments for Driving Under the Influence in California

If you are convicted of DUI in California, you will be penalized by the criminal courts as well as the DMV. The courts will decide the length of your prison sentence in addition to any fines, depending on the severity of your charge. Your first DUI conviction is likely to result in a misdemeanor charge, with a maximum fine of $2,300 and a potential jail sentence of up to six months. For every conviction after your first in a 10-year timespan, the penalties become steeper, jumping to felony charges on your fourth conviction or more. Moreover, every criminal conviction comes with a license suspension for a period of several months to multiple years.

Once you have been arrested on a DUI charge, the California DMV will take action to suspend your license within 30 days. After you have been notified of the pending suspension, you can contest the loss of your license at a DMV hearing, although you must request a hearing within 10 days. Our DUI attorney can represent you in both your criminal case and during license suspension proceedings, helping you avoid jail time or while maintaining your driving privileges.

DUI Accidents Causing Injury or Death

A DUI accident involving injury or death will likely come with aggressive prosecution, and you may face a harsh prison sentence. In cases of injury, you might only be charged with a misdemeanor if the damage was minor, but if the full extent of the injury only becomes clear later, the charge may be upgraded to a felony. The judge will assess the totality of the accident to decide whether misdemeanor or felony charges are appropriate. Other factors that may result in felony charges include:

• Your prior record of DUI convictions.
• How many people were injured.
• Your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the accident.
• Whether you were going over the speed limit, and by how much.

For a DUI accident resulting in a fatality, you could face additional charges of vehicular manslaughter or second-degree murder. The difference between these two crimes comes down to what the state refers to as "implied malice." In cases of negligence, you might face charges of vehicular manslaughter, but you can be tried with second-degree murder for exhibiting a knowing disregard for other people's safety. For instance, if you were previously informed of the risks of drunk driving in DUI school or if you had a DUI prior conviction, the prosecution can cite that as implied malice, and you may be charged with second-degree murder.

Speak With a Petaluma DUI Defense Attorney

If you need to defend against a DUI charge in Petaluma, Attorney Paul Burglin of Burglin Law Offices, P.C. is ready to represent you. He has been practicing law since 1985 and stands out as a leader in his practice area, having presented at Harvard Law School in seminars for DUI defense. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office at 415-729-7300 today