Sonoma, California DUI Lawyer

Skilled DUI Attorney Defending Clients in Sonoma, CA

One night of drunk driving can haunt you for years, and you may face long-term legal consequences. California has strict laws against driving under the influence, and if you are convicted on charges of DUI, you could face a long jail sentence in addition to the loss of your driving privileges. Moreover, the stigma of your criminal record could damage your social standing, your ability to find employment, or your likelihood of receiving a loan approval.

A DUI attorney in Sonoma can represent you as you address allegations of DUI, protecting your freedoms in and out of court. Attorney Paul Burglin of Burglin Law Offices, P.C. is a respected name in California DUI defense, with a continuous track record for getting DUI charges reduced or thrown out for his clients.

Chemical Testing in DUI Charges

Blood alcohol content, or BAC, is the common metric used by law enforcement to determine a driver's sobriety. At .08% BAC, the state considers you to be legally impaired, marking the point where you can be charged with driving under the influence. However, you can still be arrested and charged with DUI if an officer of the law determines that you are impaired based on observable evidence. In either circumstance, your DUI case is likely to be charged as a misdemeanor offense, which comes with a county jail sentence of up to six months and a fine as high as $2,300.

Your BAC taken during a traffic stop or after an arrest is an incredibly important piece of evidence. In some cases, that number alone will be enough to convict you. At .20% BAC, more than twice the legal limit, you might even be sentenced on felony DUI charges. However, you should know that BAC is not the be-all and end-all factor. You have the right to decline any preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test to measure your BAC at a roadside traffic stop, though if detained, you must submit to chemical testing as per California's implied consent law.

Our skilled attorney will question the methods used to measure your BAC and the results of the test itself. Were you pulled over with probable cause (i.e., a traffic violation or another valid reason to believe that you had violated the law)? Did the officer mishandle the test, resulting in a faulty reading? Did the test accurately reflect the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, or was a drink still being absorbed into your system? All of these are valid concerns that can seriously hurt the prosecution's case as you defend against a conviction.

Avoiding Jail Time for DUI

For every DUI conviction after your first, the judge and prosecutor may be more inclined to sentence you to incarceration. The threat of jail time may hang heavy over your head, but our DUI defense lawyer can help you push for an alternative sentence that allows you to continue life outside bars. These alternatives might include meetings at a local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter, a period of house arrest, or submitting to alcohol monitoring through a bracelet.

With the right legal defense, you could be sentenced to a lesser offense without imprisonment, or you could even have your case dismissed by a judge. Throughout the criminal proceedings, you should consult with your attorney to discuss the most realistic strategy for your case.

Meet With a Sonoma DUI Defense Attorney

After a DUI arrest in Sonoma, you might be overwhelmed and panicked thinking about your future. No matter how hopeless your case may seem, the best thing you can do is to reach out to a qualified DUI defense attorney who will stand up for your rights before a judge. Attorney Paul Burglin has decades of experience representing clients in drunk driving cases, and he co-authored California Drunk Driving Law, a book cited by lawyers across California as "the Bible of DUI defense." For a free, personalized consultation, contact Burglin Law Offices, P.C. at 415-729-7300 today.