Fontana DUI Lawyer

Fontana DUI Attorney

Making the decision to drive under the influence in California can result in severe consequences that you may never fully recover from. A DUI conviction can impact nearly every aspect of your life. It can affect your social standing, job opportunities, professional reputation, and even personal relationships. If you are facing these charges, it is important to contact a Fontana DUI lawyer who can develop a solid defense strategy and provide you with consistent legal advice.

The consequences of a DUI conviction can be disastrous for you, largely because such a conviction will lead to you having a criminal record. With a criminal record, you will likely lose out on a number of opportunities, such as finding housing or holding gainful employment. It can also damage and lock you out of many other aspects of life. With the help of an experienced accident attorney, you could prevent the conviction if you plan a solid defense.

Getting a DUI in Fontana

Driving while under the influence of substances is a crime that’s taken very seriously in nearly every state in the country, including California. If you are convicted of a DUI, you could face potentially life-changing consequences, depending on the seriousness of the charge and whether you caused serious harm to someone. In some cases, the judge may sentence you to serve the maximum penalties. Fortunately, a good lawyer knows how to defend you in these cases.

Under California state law, if you are pulled over by police because you are suspected of driving while under the influence, your blood alcohol content (BAC) is going to ultimately determine the outcome of the arrest. If your BAC is 0.08% or higher, you are going to be considered a drunk driver and will be arrested. If you are a commercial truck driver or a rideshare vehicle driver, the BAC limit will be 0.04%.

If you are under 21 years old or on probation for a prior DUI conviction, the BAC limit for you is 0.01%. Regardless, driving any vehicle while drunk can result in serious legal consequences, such as a revocation of your driver’s license, several months in jail, a hefty fine, and community service, depending on the severity of your offense. When you are arrested, it is important to remember that you are always considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Upon a DUI arrest, it is important to keep in mind that you have a number of constitutional rights that cannot be infringed upon for any reason. These rights include your right to hire legal counsel to represent you and your right to remain silent. Don’t let police try to intimidate you or guilt you into revealing incriminating information. They may not have as strong a case as you think, and they may simply be relying on your confession. Stay silent, request your lawyer, and wait for them to arrive.

Handling a Field Sobriety Test

One of the first things that may happen when you are pulled over for a suspected DUI is a breathalyzer test. The breathalyzer will analyze your BAC levels and determine your level of intoxication. If you are over the legal limit, you will likely be arrested. You may also have to undergo one or more field sobriety tests to fully determine your intoxication level. These tests are developed at the federal level to help keep the roads safe from drunk drivers.

California is an “implied consent” state. Essentially, by obtaining a California driver’s license, it is implied that you are consenting to breath and blood tests simply by driving on state roads and highways. You can refuse to take any of these tests, including the breathalyzer, but the legal consequences will be considerable. Here are the various field sobriety tests you may be asked to complete in front of an officer at the time of your arrest:

• Finger-to-Nose Test: This test is intended to gauge your accuracy. The officer will have you stand still with your arms outstretched. Then, they will tell you to touch your nose with the tip of your index finger, one hand at a time.
• One-Leg Stand Test: This is meant to check your ability to maintain your balance. The officer will have you stand with your arms at your sides and your feet together. From there, you will be ordered to stand with one foot raised six inches above the ground. You will then count out loud until the officer tells you to stop. If you are drunk, you will likely be unable to maintain your balance.
• Walk-and-Turn Test: This test was made to examine your coordination. The officer will have you stand heel to toe, with your arms at your sides. You will then walk in a straight line for nine steps, turn around, and walk back in the same direction. If you are drunk, you will likely be unable to walk in a straight line.
• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test: This tests your eye movements. When you are drunk, your eyes move differently. You will be instructed to stand still and follow a small object in the officer’s hand with only your eyes. If you move your head or are unable to keep up with the object, you will fail the test.

Reach Out to an Experienced DUI Lawyer Today

Handling the fallout of a Fontana DUI charge can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you are trying to deal with everything on your own. Having an experienced DUI lawyer by your side to handle setbacks and build a defense can make all the difference when the time comes to defend your case.

The legal team at My SoCal Lawyers understands the kind of defense that can properly challenge a DUI charge. We can build a strong defense strategy, gather the evidence you need that backs up your claim, protect your interests, and keep you from being taken advantage of. Contact us to speak with a valued team member about a potential consultation.