Oakland Drunk Driving

Drunk Driving Attorney Serving Alameda County and the Bay Area

Being convicted of drunk driving in Oakland, California can have serious consequences, including heavy fines, suspension of license, and even time in prison. It is always advisable to seek a reputable Oakland attorney highly qualified in Drinking Under the Influence (DUI) law immediately after you are charged.

While no one ever foresees that they will be charged with a DUI, it is an unfortunate reality for thousands of Americans every year. Important statistics for drunk driving in California include the following:

• Approximately one and a half million people are charged with DUI every year.
• In 2007, 203,866 people were arrested for DUI in the state of California.
• 35 percent of all traffic-related fatalities were caused by drunk driving in 2008.

California DUI Laws

There are two basic ways for a driver to be convicted of DUI in California.

• It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• It is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood. Drivers who are under 21 years old may be charged with DUI if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) measures at .05 percent. It is also important to understand that, according to implied consent laws, drivers automatically agree to take breath or blood tests upon the issue of their licenses. Hence, penalties for a DUI conviction are harsher if the defendant refused to take a test at the time of the arrest.

Legal Rights in California

Unfortunately, your legal rights are sometimes ignored by Oakland police. Legal rights that you should exercise if you are pulled over for drunk driving include the following:

• The officer must produce legally sufficient evidence that exhibits probable cause to stop and arrest you.
• You must be told your constitutional rights upon arrest before the officer questions you.
• You have a choice of being tested by either breath or blood.
• If you choose to take a breath test, you must also be given the opportunity to retrieve a blood sample so that your attorney can test it later.

Due to severe punishments and the complexity of DUI laws in Oakland, you should begin searching for an attorney immediately after your arrest. Alexander Cross, Attorney at Law, has the skill and experience you need to overcome California's intricate legal system. Contact Oakland DUI attorney Alexander Cross today to set up a free initial consultation today at 510-213-6673.