Orange County DUI Lawyer
Defending Drunk Driving Charges in Orange County, California
Have you been arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) in Orange County, California? If so, you need a competent attorney at your side to defend your Constitutional rights and assist you in avoiding a criminal conviction and the suspension of your driver's license. Virginia L. Landry is a premier DUI defense lawyer, dedicated to providing aggressive and personalized legal counsel to clients throughout all of Orange County who have been arrested for drunk driving offenses of all kinds, ranging from first time DUI offenses all the way to felony DUI or vehicular manslaughter.
At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, you can expect to receive the guidance and representation that you need in the face of your DUI charges. We offer skilled legal counsel both in criminal court and at our clients' administrative DMV hearings with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. We have found that by representing clients in both of these actions, we are able to build more effective cases that result in more positive case outcomes.
Your initial consultation with Orange County DUI attorney Virginia L. Landry is free. We welcome you to call us toll free at (877) 384-7833 or to contact us online for your free case evaluation.
The Anatomy of an Orange County DUI Arrest
Although specific circumstances will vary on a case by case basis, a DUI arrest in Orange County may proceed as follows:
- A police officer patrolling the roads notices a driver who is driving erratically or who is violating a traffic law. The driver may be swerving, driving too slowly, speeding, driving recklessly or otherwise displaying behavior which may indicate intoxication or a person driving under the influence of drugs.
- The officer will pull the driver over to the side of the road.
- Upon pulling over the driver, the officer will ask to see license and registration information. At this time, the officer may also look for outward signs that indicate a driver may be DUI, such as bloodshot eyes or slurred speech. The officer may also ask the driver if he or she has been drinking, where he or she is going, etc.
- Depending on behavior observed at the initial police stop, the officer may ask the driver to step outside of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. These are used to gauge a driver's mental and physical abilities and may include the Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand or Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus.
- The driver's performance on field sobriety tests as well as what he or she says or does will typically determine whether the police officer makes an arrest for DUI.
After an arrest is when Orange County law enforcement may ask a driver to submit to a breath test or blood test in order to determine his or her blood alcohol concentration, and criminal charges will follow.
What is DUI (Driving Under the Influence)?
DUI is most often a misdemeanor offense in California and involves a driver operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. To be considered "under the influence" under California drunk driving law, the driver must have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater or must have physical/mental abilities that are impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs. To prove that a driver was operating a motor vehicle under the influence, law enforcement and the District Attorney will use performance on field sobriety tests and the outcome of a breathalyzer test or blood test that was administered after the driver's arrest.
Interested in viewing helpful videos about DUI in Orange County, California? Please click on the links provided below:
Why an Orange County DUI Defense Attorney
If you've been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Orange County, you may wonder whether you should involve an attorney. This is an important issue to consider. We cannot stress enough how important it is to involve an Orange County DUI attorney as early in the process as possible. When you are arrested for DUI, the arresting officer will confiscate your driver's license and give you a "notice of suspension" that will serve as a temporary license. Upon your failure or refusal of a breath test or blood test, the DMV will automatically begin suspension proceedings. You must contact the Drivers Safety Office of the DMV within 10 calendar days of your arrest in order to challenge the suspension of your driver's license - or it will be suspended regardless of the outcome of your case.
That is just one benefit of working with a lawyer. Additionally, you will be facing criminal charges in court. This means that you may face imprisonment as well as heavy fines, community service, counseling, or mandatory drug/alcohol treatment or rehabilitation. This is a legal process, and law enforcement and the prosecution will be working hard to try to secure a conviction against you. Your Orange County DUI lawyer will be the only person on your side, standing in the way of a potential conviction, DUI penalties, a criminal record, and a limited future.
For the experienced help you need and deserve, contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today. We are here to defend you against your DUI charges and will offer you the level of legal counsel you rightfully deserve.
Contact Orange County DUI lawyer Virginia Landry today.