san diego drunk driving defense lawyer

The Los Angeles Daily Journal Appellate Report recently reported that Benito Garcia’s driver’s license was properly suspended after he refused to submit to a chemical test following his arrest for drunk driving. Garcia had been driving erratically and was pulled over. Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Garcia’s breath and other signs of intoxication and administered a field sobriety test, which he failed. The officers arrested Garcia and informed him that he was required by law to submit to either a blood or breath test to determine his blood alcohol level. Garcia refused and his license was suspended even though he eventually completed a test showing his blood alcohol level to be at 0.28. The court found that Garcia’s delayed submission to a chemical test did not allow him to avoid the consequences of his initial refusal and that his license was properly suspended.

Under California Vehicle Code Section 13353, if you are arrested for driving under the influence and refuse to submit to, or fail to complete, a chemical test you will be subject to a suspension of your license for a period of one year. It is important to note that consent to a chemical test that is not clear and unambiguous may be deemed a refusal as well.

If you have previously refused a chemical test following an arrest for drunk driving, or if you have been arrested for reckless driving, underage drinking, or driving under the influence, within the past ten years, you will lose your driving privileges for two years. However, if any of these arrests or violations has occurred twice within the past ten years, your license will be suspended for three years.

Losing your license is very serious, especially in California where driving a vehicle is one of the only modes of transportation. If you or a loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence it is important that you retain our experienced legal representation immediately. The defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been handling DUI cases for more than 30 years. Our Southern California attorneys will conduct a thorough review of the details of your case, and will advocate on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome. Call Wallin & Klarich today at (888) 749-0034 and visit us on our website at www.wklaw.com to speak with one of our attorneys regarding your case. We will be here when you call.

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It was recently reported that Vincent Jackson, wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers football team, pled guilty to his second driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Jackson was pulled over and cited for DUI in January of this year. Jackson was sentenced to five years probation, four days in jail, a $2,408 fine, 10 days of community service, mandatory attendance in a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) class, and involvement in the state’s multiple conviction program, which lasts at least 18 months.

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are regulated under California Vehicle Code Section 23152. Driving under the influence is normally charged as a misdemeanor (though DUI can be charged as a felony if someone is injured in the crime). A second DUI conviction in 10 years results in an extremely harsh sentence. Very few misdemeanor convictions carry a mandatory jail sentence. While the minimum jail sentence is four days, some judges impose a harsher jail sentence, including 30, 60, and even 90 day jail sentences.

The aggressive Southern California criminal defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich have been defending the rights of those facing criminal charges such as DUI for over 30 years. We know what it takes to ensure that you keep your driver’s license and may be able to get your DUI charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact Wallin & Klarich today to learn more about how we can help. Call 888-764-2615 or visit www.wklaw.com for more information. We will be there when you call.

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In California, it is a crime to operate a vehicle with .08 percent or more (by weight) of alcohol in his or her blood [California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b)]. California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b) further states that it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.08 percent blood alcohol level, if a chemical test was performed within three hours after driving, which resulted in a 0.08 blood alcohol level or more.

This language begs the question: “What is a rebuttable presumption?” A rebuttable presumption means that the prosecution can assume that you had a .08 percent blood alcohol level at the time you were driving if, at any point within three hours after you were pulled over, you had a .08 percent or higher alcohol content. The assumption can be challenged by evidence offered by the defendant.

Practically speaking, this means that if you are pulled over by law enforcement and you refuse a breathalyzer test, law enforcement can take you into custody, and then at any point within three hours, perform a blood test.

This process can be very detrimental to defendants because blood alcohol levels peak over the passage of time. Thus, if you had your last drink 30 minutes before getting pulled over by law enforcement, it is likely that your blood alcohol level will not have peaked (be at its highest point) at the time you are pulled over. So, your blood alcohol content when you were pulled over could have been below .08 percent, but within 30 minutes (and definitely within 3 hours) it could be at or above .08 percent, leaving the prosecution with the rebuttable presumption that you had a .08 percent or higher blood alcohol content when you were driving.

While DUI cases seem relatively easy, they are in fact quite complex. For this reason, it is important to hire an experienced San Diego drunk driving defense attorney from Wallin & Klarich to defend your rights. The DUI defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience handling DUI cases and have the skills and expertise to provide you with the best possible defense. Our attorneys are well versed in the science and mechanics of DUIs and have a good track record with our clients. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, call an attorney at Wallin & Klarich immediately. Our attorneys can be reached by phone at 888-764-2615 or through our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

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