Southern California DUI Attorney

Experienced Southern California DUI Attorney to Represent You on Your DUI Charges

If you or someone you love has been arrested in Southern California for driving under the influence or a related matter, it is imperative that you contact a skilled Southern California DUI attorney today to evaluate the case. There are a number of serious consequences associated with a DUI conviction including the following: jail time, fine, license suspension, work release, and house arrest. In order to minimize the possible outcome of your DUI arrest it is vital that you contact an experienced Southern California DUI lawyer. Your Southern California DUI attorney will review the events surrounding your arrest in addition to the discovery as related to the matter. The Parker Law Center is committed to providing personalized representation throughout all stages of the process. Contact the Parker Law Center today to fight to protect your rights and receive the best possible outcome on your matter.

Choose a Southern California DUI Attorney Who Provides Comprehensive Representation

When making your decision to hire a Southern California DUI attorney it is crucial that you choose an attorney who has vast knowledge of current DUI law in addition to providing comprehensive legal representation. There are two components requiring representation following a DUI arrest in Southern California. The Court and DMV both require a specialized defense. It is essential that you select a Southern California DUI lawyer that is versed at representing clients at both the Court and DMV hearing. Attorney Kellee C. Parker of the Parker Law Center is experienced at representing those charged with both complex misdemeanor and felony matters in Southern California. Attorney Parker possesses a unique skill-set which enables her to effectively represent clients at both the Court and DMV processes. The legal team at the Parker Law Center prides itself on providing personalized, compassionate, and fierce legal representation. Contact the Parker Law Center today for a free case evaluation!

Court Process for DUI Arrests in Southern California

Once a person has been arrested for driving under the influence in Southern California the Court process begins. The arresting officer provides the arrestee with a citation; the arrest report gets forwarded to the prosecuting agency. Typically, the prosecuting agency reviews a copy of the arrest report and determines which charges if any are appropriate to file in Court. The prosecuting agency files the charges via a complaint. Many times, driving under the influence is filed as a misdemeanor offense. If the matter is filed as a misdemeanor then a Southern California DUI attorney can in most cases make all appearances in Court without the client ever having to step foot into a Courtroom.

The first Court appearance is known as the arraignment. The arraignment is the stage where the charges are formally presented and a plea of guilty or not guilty is entered. Many times the Southern California DUI lawyer will enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the client and set the matter for a pretrial hearing; other times, the Southern California DUI attorney will feel it is in the client’s best interest to leave the matter at the arraignment stage. Should the Southern California DUI attorney set the matter for a pretrial hearing then the attorney can request additional items of discovery and file any pretrial motions which might be required. The pretrial stage also allows the attorney to negotiate the case with the prosecuting agency. Once an offer is reached, the Southern California DUI attorney will convey the offer to his/her client and determine the best way to proceed. At times the DUI attorney will recommend entering into the negotiated plea agreement. Other times, the Southern California DUI lawyer may feel it is in the client’s best interest to take the matter to jury trial. The Parker Law Center is well versed representing clients all over Southern California who have been charged with driving under the influence. Contact the Parker Law Center today for a free case evaluation.

Southern California DMV Process- Administrative Per Se Hearing at the Local Driver Safety Office

An arrest for driving under the influence in Southern California can lead to two license suspensions. The first license suspension is triggered by an arrest for driving under the influence. The second suspension is triggered upon conviction of DUI in Court. Upon arrest for driving under the influence in Southern California, the peace officer confiscates the licensee’s driver’s license and replaces it with a pink piece of paper. This pink piece of paper serves as a temporary driver’s license. The pink piece of paper is valid for 30 days following arrest. Should no action be taken on the part of the licensee then the person’s driver’s license will be suspended automatically following 30 days from the date of arrest. In order to fight this license suspension the licensee must request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing within 10 days from the date of arrest. A qualified Southern California DUI attorney will request this hearing on behalf of the licensee and place a stay on the licensee’s driver’s license to ensure that the licensee maintains full driving privileges until a decision is rendered on the hearing. If this hearing is not requested within 10 days from the date of arrest then the licensee loses the right to the hearing.

The APS hearing takes place at the local Driver Safety Office. The hearing is presided over by a Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer is an employee of the DMV. The Hearing Officer is charged with proving the following issues at the APS hearing:

If the driver submitted to a chemical test there are three issues:

• Did the officer have reasonable cause to believe that the licensee was driving a motor vehicle in violation of California Vehicle Code Sections 23152 or 23153?
• Was the licensee lawfully arrested?
• Was the licensee driving a motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in the blood?

If a Chemical test was not taken (a refusal) the issues are:

• Did the officer have reasonable cause to believe that the licensee was driving a motor vehicle in violation of California Vehicle Code Sections 23152 or 23153?
• Was the licensee lawfully arrested?
• Was the licensee advised that refusal to submit to, or failure to complete, a breath or blood test would result in a one year license suspension or two or three year revocation?
• Did the licensee refuse to submit to, or fail to complete, a chemical test after being requested to by a peace officer?

The Southern California APS hearing begins by the Hearing Officer presenting documents for the record. The Hearing Officer will mark these documents as exhibits. A skilled Southern California DUI defense attorney will object to these documents and present arguments regarding why the license should not be suspended. The Hearing Officer will take all of the argument under submission and render a written decision. The decision will either set aside the license suspension or remove the stay on the license thereby reinstating the suspension. If you or someone you love has been arrested for driving under the influence then it is essential you contact a fierce Southern California DUI defense lawyer today for a free case evaluation. The Parker Law Center is a premiere Southern California DUI defense firm which is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate, and aggressive legal representation that you deserve!