Being arrested for a DUI in San Jose, CA, can have severe penalties, potentially resulting in jail time, losing your driver’s license, and other serious consequences.
Here’s what to do if facing a DUI conviction after being accused of driving over the legal limit and how a California DUI lawyer can help you resolve your case with the best outcome possible.
Immediate Steps to Take if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI in San Jose
San Jose DUI arrests are common, especially on weekends and holidays when there may be DUI checkpoints where drivers are randomly subjected to a mandatory chemical test. Here are some steps you should take immediately during and after your arrest:
Stay Calm and Cooperate With Law Enforcement
If you’re pulled over and at risk of a DUI arrest, you must stay calm and cooperate with law enforcement officers. If you are asked to take a preliminary alcohol screening, such as a breathalyzer test, it’s usually in your best interests to do so.
However, note that you are not required to cooperate with field sobriety tests. Below, you can read more about the right to decline roadside testing in California.
Avoid Making Self-Incriminating Statements
Avoid talking and answering questions you don’t have to during your DUI arrest. You can and should remain silent to protect your rights. Anything you say will be notated on the police report, which will be used against you in court later when a judge hears your case.
Request Legal Representation
You have the right to have a lawyer present after you are arrested. You can call your attorney, or if you can’t afford one, a lawyer will be appointed to you. Although it may take some time for police officers to contact a public defense attorney, and you’ll likely have to spend this time in jail, having a lawyer on your side can prevent police and prosecutors from trampling on your rights.
Understand the Implied Consent Law for Chemical Testing
In California, getting your driver’s license means you give implied consent for a chemical test when stopped on suspicion of DUI.
Usually, this is a breath test, but a blood test may be done if you were in an accident causing bodily injury and were taken to the hospital. You have the option to decline the chemical testing. But if you do, you’ll immediately forfeit your driving privileges, and your license will be suspended.
While you must submit to a breath or blood test if a police officer asks you to, you can refuse to take field sobriety tests, as mentioned above. Your license won’t be suspended if you do, and the officers can’t use it against you in court to imply that you were guilty.
Note Down Important Details of the Arrest
It’s a good idea to take down notes of everything you remember about the arrest, including the name and badge number of the police officer, what field sobriety tests you were asked to perform, and any questions asked during your traffic stop.
Understanding DUI Laws in San Jose, California
You may face enhanced penalties if you have prior DUI convictions or aggravating circumstances surrounding your arrest, like being double the legal limit.
For example, suppose you have a prior offense for reckless driving causing bodily injury, and you get stopped for drinking and driving again. In that case, you could face mandatory incarceration, thousands of dollars in fines, and severe penalties.
Securing Legal Representation
Working with an experienced attorney in San Jose with a good track record of resolving DUI cases in favor of the defendant is essential, especially if aggravating factors surround your DUI charge. Most attorneys offer a free consultation for criminal case defendants. They can help you better understand the DUI process and what to expect as you navigate the Santa Clara County legal system.
Dealing With Administrative Proceedings
After being charged with a DUI offense, you’ll not only be facing criminal proceedings with the San Jose court system, but you’ll also need to deal with the post-arrest administrative process and the potential for a driver’s license suspension. Here are the basics:
Overview of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Hearing
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) assumes several responsibilities concerning motor vehicles and driver licensing in California. These responsibilities encompass tasks such as overseeing and encouraging adherence to traffic laws and regulations within the state.
If the DMV issues a discretionary action against someone’s driving privileges, that individual can request a hearing before the DMV. This allows them to contest the action and examine the evidence upon which it is based. A discretionary action refers to a situation where the law grants the DMV the authority to take action but does not mandate it.
Requesting a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Hearing
You must request a DMV hearing at the San Jose California Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days of your arrest.
This administrative hearing is separate from your DUI charges and the court hearings you will have with the state. At the DMV hearing, you will be allowed to present a case as to why your license shouldn’t be suspended.
You can apply for a restricted license at your administrative hearing, which allows you to continue driving to places like work or school. Under a restricted license, drivers cannot operate their vehicles outside the designated time frames or to other areas that aren’t on the list of allowed destinations.
Possible Outcomes and Consequences of the Hearing
The DMV hearing will determine the fate of your driving privileges. Possible outcomes include the suspension of your driver’s license, the granting of restricted driving privileges, or the dismissal of administrative action. Your attorney will present arguments and evidence to contest the suspension and advocate for the best possible outcome.
Understanding the potential consequences and having skilled legal representation during the DMV hearing is crucial to protecting your driving privileges and minimizing the impact on your daily life.
Criminal Court Process
Traversing the criminal justice system can be intimidating. These basics can help you understand what to expect:
A. Your Arraignment and Plea Options: After you’ve been arrested for a DUI in San Jose, CA, you will likely have multiple court appearances that you have to attend. The preliminary hearing, or your arraignment, is where you will meet the judge presiding over your case and have the opportunity to enter your plea.
You can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest to your DUI charges, and your attorney can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. For example, pleading guilty right away doesn’t give the prosecution any time to offer you a plea deal. Pleading no contest allows the state to administer punishment without you having to accept guilt.
This is also the point at which a judge will set or deny bail for you. If you can make bail, you can return home until your first court date. If not, you’ll have to stay in jail until then.
B. Pre-trial Motions and Discovery Phase: Next, your DUI lawyer will go back and forth with the prosecution to share evidence and make necessary motions to dismiss the case or suppress evidence. These pre-trial motions are critical, and working with a skilled attorney will increase the chances that they will be decided in your favor.
C. Possibility of Negotiation for Reduced Charges or Alternative Sentencing: If you were arrested on a first-time DUI charge, you may be eligible for reduced or alternative sentencing. For example, a judge may be lenient instead of being sentenced to jail time since you’ve never been in trouble before and give you probation.
Or if you were charged with a felony DUI, you may be able to negotiate its reduction to a misdemeanor in exchange for pleading guilty.
D. Trial Proceedings and Possible Defenses: Creating a solid defense strategy is imperative for resolving your DUI charges. There are several possible defenses for a DUI, like having a medical condition that causes you to perform poorly on field sobriety tests or proving that the police didn’t have probable cause to stop your vehicle. Our qualified and well-versed California DUI lawyers can help you mount a compelling defense with the evidence available in your case.
E. Sentencing Options and Potential Penalties: If you are found guilty or plead guilty to a DUI charge, the court will proceed with sentencing. The penalties for a DUI offense in California can vary. Typical consequences include probation, fines, and driver’s license revocation. In cases involving felony DUI charges, incarceration is also possible in either jail or prison.
The penalties will differ based on factors such as prior DUI convictions, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, and any aggravating factors. Your San Jose DUI attorney will work to mitigate the potential punishments and explore alternatives, such as rehabilitation programs or alternative sentencing options, tailored to your situation.
Building a Strong Defense Strategy
A. Analyzing the Facts of the Case: To build a strong defense strategy, your defense counsel will carefully analyze the facts of your case. This includes reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other evidence collected during the arrest. By scrutinizing the details, he can identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and develop an effective defense strategy.
B. Evaluating the Validity of the Arrest and Evidence Collected: One crucial aspect of building a defense strategy is evaluating the validity of your arrest and the evidence collected. Our seasoned DUI attorney will assess whether law enforcement followed proper procedures during your arrest, including conducting reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Additionally, he will examine the accuracy and reliability of tests, such as a breathalyzer or blood test, to determine any errors or potential issues.
C. Challenging Breathalyzer and Field Sobriety Test Results: Breathalyzer and field sobriety tests are commonly used by law enforcement to determine a driver’s impairment level. However, these tests are not infallible, and errors can occur during the conduct of the test or the interpretation of the results. Your attorney will investigate the administration of these tests and look for factors that may have influenced inaccurate results.
D. Gathering Witness Testimonies and Expert Opinions: Another good defense strategy for your DUI case is getting witnesses to testify on your behalf. For example, suppose it’s your first time DUI. In that case, you can bring character witnesses forward to talk about how this behavior is abnormal for you or possibly due to a medical or mental health condition.
Or, if the chemical test wasn’t performed correctly, you may be able to bring in a laboratory testing expert to testify that the lab that was given your sample did not follow the industry-appropriate testing protocol.
E. Exploring Possible Legal Defenses and Strategies: Building a solid defense strategy involves exploring possible legal defenses tailored to your situation. Your San Jose DUI attorney will consider factors such as the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of chemical tests, or whether any constitutional rights were violated.
Common defenses include challenging the reliability of evidence, proving a lack of probable cause, establishing an alternative explanation for the observed behavior, or disputing the accuracy of field sobriety tests. Your attorney will evaluate the circumstances of your DUI arrest to determine the most effective defense strategy.
Potential Consequences and Collateral Effects
The criminal penalties for a DUI offense in California are as follows:
- First-time DUI arrest: two days to six months in jail; up to a $1,000 fine.
- Second DUI arrest: four days to one year in jail; up to a $1,000 fine.
- Third DUI arrest: 20 days to one year in jail; up to a $1,000 fine.
- Fourth DUI arrest: six months to three years in prison; up to a $1,000 fine.
You must immediately take action after being arrested for a DUI in California. 