At the beginning of 2022, the law regarding DUI diversion changed. DUIs are no longer eligible for diversion in California. Please contact our office with any questions. Email us at abortellaw@gmail.com OR Call us at: (415) 523-7878

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Law Firm of Aaron Bortel

A DUI Defense Attorney You Can Trust In Sonoma County, CA

Are you a first-time DUI offender who is worried about what comes next? Find out more about how the Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel can help.

Being charged with a DUI can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming situation for a number of reasons. Not only are the potential financial and legal consequences a subject of great concern, but you will also need to process the emotional weight of your incident while juggling the flurry of legal calls, meetings, and hearings you will need to prepare for. 

If you’re facing your first DUI arrest, it is important to seek a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney in Sonoma County, CA who can prepare you to navigate the process. Your attorney will ensure that you know exactly what to expect so that you are not met with any surprises in your DUI case. 

By gathering a basic understanding of the potential penalties and how you can defend yourself against them, you will be better poised to handle your case head-on with our attorney. By working with an experienced DUI lawyer, you may be able to lessen or even eliminate your charges completely. For this reason, it is important to understand how the process works.

After Your Arrest

After you have been pulled over and subject to a series of field sobriety tests, law enforcement officers may arrest you for DUI and ask you to take a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol content, or BAC. It is important to note that refusing to take these tests can result in additional penalties and extended license suspensions. 

Once you have been arrested, your license will be automatically suspended. You can request a hearing with the DMV to contest your suspension, but the request must be made within ten days of your request.

Your hearing with the DMV will be separate from any court proceedings that are related to your charges. While it is possible to win this hearing and retain your ability to drive even if you are convicted of DUI, you will need to request your hearing within the 10-day period. If you fail to request a hearing, your license will be automatically suspended following your DUI charges, and you will be unable to contest the suspension with the DMV.

Phone
Call Us 24/7 For a FREE Case Evaluation | (415) 523-7878

Potential Penalties

Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel | DUI Defense Attorney In Sonoma County, CA

While the severity of your penalties can vary based on factors such as your BAC level or involvement in an accident, there are specific penalties listed in California law for first-time offenders. But first-time or otherwise, DUIs are expensive. 

As a first-time offender, you can expect to pay anywhere from $390 to $1,000 in fines, not including additional court and legal fees. You may also face a license suspension of up to four months, but you may be eligible for a restricted license that allows you to drive to and from work and DUI classes. 

First-time offenders in Sonoma County, CA are generally required to attend a DUI education program for anywhere from 3-9 months. You will also be subject to a 3-5 year probation period, requiring you to comply with conditions such as avoiding future DUIs and attending the aforementioned educational programs. 

Along with these penalties, there is a potential for first-time DUI offenders to face jail time. While a higher BAC level or other aggravating factors may extend your time, first-time offenders typically do not spend more than 48 hours in jail.

Court Process

After your DUI arrest, you will be required to appear in court for your arraignment, but not before you are formally charged and asked to enter your plea. California law provides three options for a plea, including:

  • Guilty: A guilty plea effectively states that you are accepting the charges you have been given, meaning that you may be subject to immediate penalties.
  • No Contest: This means that you are admitting guilt to the charges, but are also not contesting. While this can be helpful in cases where a DUI may affect your insurance, pleading no contest may also lead to immediate penalties.
  • Not Guilty: Pleading not guilty means that you are denying the nature of your charges. This also means that you are opting in to have your case go to trial.

Many clients choose to plead not guilty to charges, and you would be well advised to work with an experienced legal professional who can offer guidance and advocate for you. Possible legal defenses can include…

  • Questioning whether the arresting officer had probable cause to pull you over. Was the stop valid, and did the officer have a legitimate reason to pull you over or suspect impairment?
  • Questioning the validity of the field sobriety tests administered. Your field sobriety tests may have been administered incorrectly. It may also be possible to debate the accuracy of their results, as these tests can be difficult to pass, even when sober.
  • Questioning the accuracy of your BAC results. The machines used to measure BAC can sometimes prove unreliable. If the device used to test your BAC has been known to give incorrect results, this evidence against you can be questioned. 

When you partner with the team at the Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel, you are placing your case in the hands of a dedicated legal team who will provide the support you need to defend yourself against your DUI charges. 

Phone
Call Us 24/7 For a FREE Case Evaluation | (415) 523-7878

Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel: Fighting For The Rights Of Clients In Sonoma County, CA

Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel | DUI Defense Attorney In Sonoma County, CA

Are you struggling to navigate the legal intricacies of your DUI charges alone? Contact the Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel for prompt, professional assistance,

Are you in need of an experienced DUI defense attorney in Sonoma County, CA who will personally fight for you in your DUI case? Attorney Aaron Bortel brings over 30 years of experience to the table, working closely with the close-knit team at the Law Firm Of Aaron Bortel to provide you with legal counsel that you can depend on. 

Don’t try to handle your DUI case alone; contact us today for an initial consultation at
(415) 523-7878.

Phone
Call Us 24/7 For a FREE Case Evaluation | (415) 523-7878
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