Tiburon, California DUI Lawyer

Qualified Attorney Representing Clients for DUI Charges in Tiburon, CA

A conviction on DUI charges in California can spell disaster for your future. The state prosecutes drunk driving to the fullest degree, with a possible $2,300 fine just for a first offense and a misdemeanor on your record. The punishments get more severe for repeat offenses, and under certain circumstances, you might even face felony charges and be sentenced to years behind bars.

You might feel pressure from law enforcement to accept the charges without a fight, but a DUI defense lawyer can stand up for you in court, protecting your freedoms as you deal with unsympathetic prosecutors. Attorney Paul Burglin has made a name for himself in DUI defense, with a reputation built on professional referrals due to his highly devoted, individualized service to clients.

Misdemeanor DUIs in California

The great majority of DUI cases in California are prosecuted as misdemeanors. While misdemeanors do not carry the same weight as felonies, you will still have to deal with the stain of a criminal record and all the prejudice it may carry, affecting housing, employment, and other areas of your life. A DUI conviction will stay on your record for years, and more serious penalties will apply for subsequent convictions.

You are likely to receive a misdemeanor charge in less dangerous cases where you only put yourself at risk and you were not grossly over the limit for blood alcohol content (BAC). The penalties for misdemeanor DUI are as follows:

• First offense: A possible county jail sentence up to six months, a fine no greater than $2,300 plus penalties, and a six-month suspension of your driver's license.
• Second offense: A possible jail sentence from 10 days to a year, a fine no greater than $3,000 plus penalties, and a two-year suspension of your driver's license.
• Third offense: A possible jail sentence from 120 days to a year, a fine no greater than $3,000 plus penalties, and a three-year revocation of your driver's license.

Bodily Injury and Death in DUI Cases

A DUI accident resulting in someone else's injury or death has the potential to result in felony charges. In case of injury, you might be charged with a misdemeanor if the damage was not severe and you maintained a clean record prior to the accident. However, if the damage turns out to be more serious, the charge could be upgraded to a felony.

For DUI cases resulting in someone's death, you could be charged with vehicular manslaughter. Depending on the circumstances behind the accident, you might be charged with vehicular manslaughter "with gross negligence," which can carry a maximum of 10 years in prison, or 15 years to life with a previous conviction on record.

California law also notes a difference between mere negligence and recklessness. A charge of vehicular manslaughter can be escalated to second-degree murder (also known as "Watson murder") if the prosecutor can show that you exhibited a willful disregard for human life—referred to as implied malice. In practice, a prosecutor might argue there was implied malice if you already had a prior conviction of driving under the influence on your record and therefore should have known the dangers of intoxication behind the wheel.

Meet With a Skilled Tiburon DUI Defense Attorney

Whether you are fighting misdemeanor or felony charges of driving under the influence, it is in your best interests to seek out experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. Burglin Law Offices, P.C. represents clients in Tiburon, CA, and when you work with our firm, your case will get full attention from Attorney Paul Burglin, who has decades of experience fighting DUI charges. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today at 415-729-7300.