It depends. Its important to remember that a DUI charge results in a criminal case and not a traffic matter. As an example, when you are arrested for a DUI, within 2 or 3 days of the arrest, you will generate an arrest record in your criminal history file at the Department of Justice in Sacramento. In some cases, if a dismissal of your case is acquired, you will then be in a position to file a Petition to Seal which will remove any reference to a DUI arrest. Generally, this is a process that is only available through a Santa Rosa DUI lawyer.

In addition, only an experienced Santa Rosa DUI attorney can analyze your case for the multiple issues that are present in a DUI case. Did the police officer have legal justification to stop your car or make contact with you? Once stopped, did the police officer have sufficient information to convert what probably was a traffic infraction into a criminal investigation for DUI? Even if the police officer had justification to convert the traffic stop into a criminal investigation, did the police have enough information to arrest you?

Were the chemical tests that you were required to take pursuant to a valid arrest? Are there scientific reasons why your blood alcohol at the time of the test was not your blood alcohol at the time of driving? Were you properly advised by the police and, if not, can your blood alcohol test results be thrown out of court? What are the weak points in your case? Should your case go to trial? Can an experienced DUI attorney negotiate your case to something less than a DUI conviction? Can your Santa Rosa DUI lawyer coordinate the license suspensions of your drivers license that both the DMV and the criminal court will try to issue? Can your DUI attorney in Sonoma County prevent you for losing your license for any period of time?

In addition to being able to analyze all of the issues and construct as many roadblocks as possible to a conviction, a Santa Rosa DUI attorney can also appear in court for you and prevent missing work, school, etc. The consequences of a DUI conviction and/or a lengthy and unnecessary suspension of your drivers license definitely speak to the value of hiring a Santa Rosa DUI lawyer.

A DUI case is not a traffic case. It must be treated seriously by a professional Santa Rosa DUI Attorney. The consequences of this type of case in both the criminal court and at DMV can be significant. The benefits of hiring an experienced DUI attorney are clear.

Remember, Ronald Dinan and Associates, is a firm of experienced and aggressive DUI lawyers, who can help in achieving the best outcome in your case. Many times DUI case dispositions will include reduction or outright dismissal of the number and/or severity of DUI charges, diversion programs, probation, reduced fines with installment payments, alternatives to jail, etc.

To get immediate help with your DUI matter, we invite you to call us to discuss your case. We answer all telephone calls in a polite, professional and helpful manner.