DUI / Drunk Driving

Riverside, California DUI Defense Lawyer

Effective Representation for Drunk Driving Charges

California's drunk driving laws are stricter than ever, even for a first time offender. If you have been arrested for a DUI (DWI), a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will have many strategies for effective DUI defense.

Call 24 hours a day: (951) 329-9300

Contact Daniel L. Greenberg, P.L.C. of Riverside, California if you were pulled over in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles or Orange County. We have a solid record of safeguarding clients from the worst penalties, whether it is your first DUI arrest or your fourth. In a free consultation, I will discuss the facts of your case, the likely outcome, and how we can help minimize the consequences.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

DUI is usually a misdemeanor crime, punishable by jail time, severe fines, suspension of license and other penalties. A fourth offense or a DUI resulting in an injury or death can be charged as a felony, with the possibility of a year or more in prison, license revocation, and thousands of dollars in fines.

In California, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent is considered legally drunk ("per se DUI"). One can also be convicted of driving under the influence for a lower BAC based on erratic driving and other observations by the arresting officer. Intoxication by drugs (illegal narcotics or even prescription medications) can result in DUI charges. Underage drivers (below age 21) can be charged for a BAC of .05, and commercial drivers (CDL) at .04 BAC.

What Are the Penalties for Drunk Driving?

A sentence for DUI conviction depends on the jurisdiction, the judge, and the facts of the case. Jail time can be given for first offenders, especially if the driver was severely speeding, above .15 BAC, carrying a passenger 14 or younger, or involved in an accident. A first offense will commonly result in loss of license for four months or more, fines and court costs up to $1,500, and possibly community service. If you refuse a breathalyzer test, you will automatically lose your license for up to one year, regardless of the outcome of your criminal case. I represent clients in criminal court as well as administrative license hearings.

California has a 10-year "lookback," resulting in enhanced penalties for a subsequent DUI conviction within that period. An alcohol related-driving charge can be viewed as a first DUI if you are subsequently picked up for a DUI. This second stop may be considered a second DUI. A second or third DUI is likely to result in jail time, steeper fines, and loss of license. The judge can also require an ignition interlock on your vehicle.

Aggressive DUI Defense

As a former Riverside County prosecutor with over 30 years of experience in criminal defense, I know how to challenge the evidence in your drunk driving arrest to get charges dismissed if police violated your rights. I examine police reports and results of the Intoxilyzer and field sobriety tests, as well as the officer's probable cause for the traffic stop. I strive for the best possible outcome, which may mean going to trial or negotiating a plea to a lesser offense.

Contact a Riverside DUI defense lawyer who has represented hundreds of Southern California drivers. We offer a free consultation, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.