Driving under the influence, more commonly referred to as DUI, arises in two circumstances. First, one may be convicted of DUI when one has been pulled over by law enforcement and found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater. A second, and lesser known way one can be convicted of a DUI, occurs when one is found to have been driving while impaired by either alcohol or drugs or both.
DUI’s are an equal opportunity offense. Judges, lawyers, doctors, politicians and celebrities have been convicted of driving under the influence. In our experience, nearly everyone has had an alcoholic beverage before driving a vehicle. It is not always clear when you have had too many. In an effort to deter this conduct, the legislature has consistently imposed increasingly harsh penalties such as:
- IMPRISONMENT
- LOSS OF YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
- FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION
- THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FINES, INCREASED INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND COURT IMPOSED DRIVING CLASSES
- MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE
- INABILITY TO PRACTICE YOUR PROFESSION
- IMPOUNDMENT OF YOUR VEHICLE AT YOUR EXPENSE
- MANY OTHERS
After examining all of the potential consequences it is easy to see why you need an experienced DUI attorney in Napa to handle your case. There are many technical and procedural safeguards that may offer you a defense. You need a Napa DUI lawyer even if you do not want to fight your case. The complexity of these cases has changed dramatically in recent years. Your attorney must now have a background in field sobriety tests, chemical tests and medical problems that could have compromised the equipments used by law enforcement. Often, even if you do not wish to go to trial, we can help you get:
- COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTEAD OF JAIL
- WORK PROJECT INSTEAD OF JAIL
- SHORTER DRIVING PROGRAM (SAVES YOU $$$ AND TIME!)
- RESTRICTED LICENSE
- NO LOSS OF YOUR LICENSE
- “WET RECKLESS”
- REDUCED FINES
If you have been arrested for a DUI contact DUI attorney in Napa Douglas Pharr for free DUI defense consultation and protect your legal rights. Call (707) 258-2654 today.
Law Office of Douglas Pharr
1700 Second Street, Suite #333
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 258-2654
A third or subsequent offense drunk driving usually results in a felony conviction ranging from a minimum sentence (usually 30 days in jail) and fine, to a maximum sentence of imprisonment (approximately 2 years) and excessive fine. In some jurisdictions, the jail sentence must be served on consecutive days unless the defendant can show undue hardship.
