DUI Penalties and Court Procedures

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If you have been arrested for DUI you were probably given a Notice to appear in court where the DUI penalties will be determined through the DUI court process.  

The Notice to Appear usually looks like a traffic ticket and will state the Vehicle Code Sections you will be charged with, this is usually Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and 23152(b).  

Vehicle Code 23152(a)

 23152(a) requires the prosecutor to show evidence that you acted and/or showed signs of intoxication which beyond a reasonable doubt show you were driving under the influence of alcohol.  A person can be below a .08 and still be convicted for DUI if the facts surrounding the arrest show there was impaired driving. 

What the prosecutor must prove in order to convict

First, it must be shown that you were driving. There are countless circumstances where the police make an arrest even though they never actually saw the arrested person driving.  The prosecutor must prove driving.

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​Under 23152(a), it must be shown that you were under the influence.  This means that you were not able to drive with the "caution characteristic of a sober person of ordinary prudence under the same or similar circumstances."  This is why the police ask you to perform roadside sobriety tests, so they can acquire evidence of impairment.  This subjective test is different to everyone, and open to interpretation.  As such, this is open to a strong defense. 

Under 23152(b), the prosecution must show you had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in your blood while you drove the vehicle.  The alcohol in a person’s blood is based upon grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.  there is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. 

As you can see there are many elements to  23152(b).  This is the "per se" rule that most people are familiar with.  However, just because you were found to have a .08 BAC, does not necessarily mean it was .08 at the time you drove the vehicle.  This too can be challenged.  Furthermore, the breath machines can be challenged and you have the right to have your own scientist read the results of the blood test.  You don't have to simply accept what the government says.

To read the vehicle code pertaining to DUI Laws follow this link:  https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2016/code-veh/division-11/chapter-12/article-2/

Defenses

There are countless situations where police make an arrest without ever witnessing driving. We have successfully handled many cases where people were asleep in the vehicle and no driving occurred, police arrived to the scene of an accident and never saw any driving, or acted on information provided by others when arresting someone not even in a vehicle.  If there was no driving there can be no conviction for DUI. 

Field Sobriety Tests can be challenged.  Many times the officers do not conduct the field sobriety tests appropriately, or perhaps they did not describe the tests correctly.  The National Highway Traffic Association has conducted many tests which have laid the framework for proper testing.  The officers must follow the precise guidelines or the tests are useless.  Furthermore, the tests are subject to many outside factors that can affect a person's performance on these very difficult roadside tests.  These arguments must be presented with legal reasoning, but can be successful in fighting DUI charges.

Blood Alcohol Content is also subject to challenge.  The guidelines for proper testing are found in California Code of Regulations, Title 17.  Police must follow the regulations or the results are not admissible because they are not reliable.  You have the right to challenge the accuracy of the breath machines and/or the blood test .  This is done by challenging whether the police followed the procedures required in the code.

Minors Under 21 Years Of Age

It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has 0.05 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.  A person under 21 can be convicted by this "per se" law at .05 BAC.  However, a minor is still subject to the same DUI laws as adults as described in vehicle codes 23152(a) and (b).

The same defenses apply to the laws pertaining to minors.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Many times people are arrested for driving after taking prescription medication.  Vehicle Code 23152 also deals explains charges for driving under the influence of drugs:   "(f) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle.(g) It is unlawful for a person who is under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug to drive a vehicle."

In order to be convicted of this charge the prosecution must prove that you were driving while under the influence of a drug.  The prosecution will rely on the testimony of the police officers who will conduct Field Sobriety Tests in an effort to collect information that can be presented in court to prove intoxication.  Again, the police must follow the guidelines and procedures outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when conducting these tests or they are not reliable.  Your blood can be retested, you do not simply have to accept the government's results.  Furthermore, experts can testify to the influence and affects of drugs and whether the amount in the blood would have an influence on the ability to drive. 

PROCEDURE

After being arrested you will be given a Notice to Appear with a date and time for you to go to court.  This first date is called the arraignment.  At the arraignment you will be notified of the charges against you and you will be provided with police reports.  The reports include the officer version of the events surrounding arrest so it is important to get further evidence.  

ARRAIGNMENT

At the arraignment you can plead guilty or not guilty and proceed to a pre-trial hearing at which time more evidence will be obtained and discussed and the parties move closer to a trial.  

TRIAL

Eventually, if the prosecutor and the person accused of DUI cannot come to a resolution of the case a trial will be held where 12 members of a jury will listen to the police and observe any evidence provided at trial to determine whether you were driving under the influence or had a .08 blood/alcohol level at the time of driving.

EVIDENCE

The prosecutor bears the burden of proving all charges beyond a reasonable doubt, so they must show evidence you were under the influence while driving.  Although you are not required to speak at trial to defend yourself, this is an option.  Additionally, you can bring in witnesses and experts to discuss the flaws in the prosecutions case and show how the police did not follow proper procedures.  It is important to properly prepare the case before proceeding to a DUI trial.

DIVERSION

It may be possible to obtain a dismissal of the case through the diversion process.  This is available in particular to those who served in the military.  Call an attorney to determine whether you are a candidate for diversion.