– Top-Rated DUI Lawyers in Oakland, California

Oakland DUI Lawyer

In California, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or both is probably the most prosecuted crime. Getting arrested for a DUI can be scary and you need to talk to an attorney about what your options are. In less than 2 minutes, you can be connected to an attorney to talk about how to keep your license, the defenses that apply to your case, and what possible penalties the judge will consider. Rather than anxiously beat yourself up for an arrest or a night gone wrong, talk to an attorney to tell us what happened so we can give you a personal assessment of what will likely happen in your case.

Everybody gets a DUI. Parents, students, grandparents, professionals, even police officers can get arrested for drinking and driving. It happens to good people. Somehow you’ve found yourself in the back of a police car and you’re on your way to jail. You end up at Glenn Dyer, Santa Rita, the Martinez Detention Facility, or a local CHP office and you find yourself asking where it all went wrong. Was it when you were crossing the bay bridge on the way home? Near Emeryville Ikea where everyone seems to get pulled over? On the 80, 880, 24, or 580 freeway? It doesn’t matter what city you’re in when it happens, getting pulled over and then arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) can be extremely overwhelming and scary. The uncertainty of what will happen with your driver’s license or in court can be overwhelming. The reality is that even though your situation may seem “hopeless” especially if you are charged, this doesn’t always mean that you will be convicted as well.

For most DUIs, especially those that don’t involve an accident or great bodily injury, the penalties don’t involve any more jail time and after jumping a few hoops, it’s quite easy to get your license back. It used to be much worse prior to 2019 when people had to wait one whole month to get their license back with the DMV. Each case is different, especially if you have multiple DUI arrests from the past or an accident was involved. The best thing for you to do is get solid advice about what will happen in your specific case. After a 30 minute consultation with Lamano Law Office, you will know what the best case, worst case, and likely scenario is in your DUI.

Call us today at (510) 488-3000 for a free consultation with an Oakland DUI lawyer.

What Happens With a First Time DUI Offense in California?

The first time you find yourself in a bad position because you got behind the wheel of your car after having one too many at the restaurant, bar, or club could be a seriously bad situation. A first-time DUI arrest is likely the first time you have ever experienced being arrested, going to jail, waiting to post bail and get out and recover from what is probably the worst night of your adult life thus far. It is humiliating and exhausting and, honestly, law enforcement means for it to be that way. They want first time offenders to remember it clearly and avoid the same situation at all costs in the future.

Other elements that go with that bad experience for first -time DUI offenders are also geared toward avoidance behavior within the legal system. You’re looking at fines, penalties, and costs from taking classes as well as having equipment added to your car in order for you to be able to drive.

Some of the punishments could include:

  • Fines that add up to 4 times the original quoted amount due to fees, costs, etc. A $390 fine is actually going to cost you potentially $2000
  • 48 hours in jail that could go to 6 months in some situations
  • A 4-month driver’s license suspension
  • An alcohol treatment program of varying length – 4 months up to 9 months in most cases
  • Going through a hospital and/or morgue program in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa or San Mateo County

This is just the start, too. More could be waiting for you from the legal system, and then you have to deal with the personal mayhem that can be a result of a first-time DUI. Problems in your relationship with your significant other, mounting debt, possible negative impact on your job are just some of the things you could be dealing with as an outcome from a first-time DUI.

Multiple DUI Offenses

What happens after a second or third DUI Arrest in California? A second DUI charge in California is no joke. Of course, a third DUI conviction is more severe. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI before, you know how it feels to be taken off to jail then wait to get out so you can do the next thing that could be the one thing that would help you most – call a Top-Rated DUI Defense Super Lawyer. Multiple DUI arrests will absolutely change your life and lifestyle for at least the next 1 to 2 years. Any DUI/DWI conviction subsequent to a first-time offense is going to come with stiffer penalties and punishments, and things will only get worse after that.

A second DUI offense and conviction can include the following punishments:

  • Up to 1 year in jail with a probable minimum of 90 days in there
  • Fines that could be assessed up to $1000
  • A suspended driver’s license that will be on your record for up to 2 years
  • A drug and/or alcohol program that runs for up to 30 months

If you get a third DUI conviction, you’re looking at:

  • Up to 1 year in jail with a probable minimum of 120 days in there
  • Additional fines assessed up to $1000
  • A suspended driver’s license that will be on you for up to 3 years
  • Another 30-month alcohol and drug program

A 4th DUI conviction will face:

  • Up to 16 months in jail with a minimum of 180 days
  • Another set of fines up to $1000
  • Your driver’s license suspended for 4 years
  • Probability of having a 4th conviction transmuted to felony DUI with further restrictions, fines, and punishments that could significantly impact your life further.

Avoiding another DUI conviction needs to be your number one goal if you find yourself arrested for a multiple DUI charge and the first thing you need to do to make this a possibility is to call your very qualified and highly rated DUI criminal defense lawyer. You’ll never be able to know or understand all of what goes into whether a charge will go to conviction or get tossed out, but your criminal defense attorney can. They will look at all the possible evidence and what the State’s attorney is proposing, then advise you on the next steps.

Oakland prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving under the influence. If you have any mitigating circumstance or any other element that a criminal law attorney can use to your advantage you might have a chance of avoiding the additional DUI conviction – this is the best thing that could happen. Don’t delay if you have been arrested for DUI – call our law firm immediately, 510-488-3000.

Free Consultation — Contact Lamano Law — Offices in Oakland, Downtown Oakland, Alameda, and Contra Costa

Lamano Law invites you to schedule a no-charge, no-obligation case evaluation. Call our lawyers at (510) 488-3000.

What We Do

If you have a DUI/DWI case in Alameda, Fremont, Hayward, Dublin, Oakland, Richmond, Pittsburg or San Francisco, contact our office for a FREE consultation now! Any day, any time, for peace of mind! (510) 488-3000.