Top Reasons to Hire a DUI Lawyer in San Jose California

If the need comes about to hire a DUI lawyer in San Jose California it's vital to stay calm and take time to locate an experienced law firm. The Golden State imposes very harsh penalties against people convicted of drunk driving, so defendants should seek qualified counsel prior to their court hearing.

It is advisable to look for DUI lawyers in San Jose who have experience in the type of charges filed against the defendant. It should be noted that people charged with drinking and driving face automatic suspension of their driver's license unless they request a formal hearing within 10 days of being charged with the crime.

Under California Vehicle Code 23152(b) it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle if blood alcohol content (BAC) levels meet or exceed 0.08 percent. People who are pulled over for DUI are subjected to field sobriety tests to assess their BAC. If tests reveal levels to exceed legal limits they will be arrested at the scene.

Furthermore, California imposes an "implied consent" law that mandates every person suspected of driving under the influence must undergo chemical tests to determine BAC. If a person refuses testing they will be arrested and have their driver's license suspended immediately.

It's important to know that certain factors can affect sobriety test results and cause readings to be higher than normal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized field sobriety testing equipment provides inaccurate results around 35 percent of the time.

Many conditions can influence blood alcohol test results. These include things such as improper procedures, faulty test equipment, physiological and environmental conditions. Breath testing equipment that uses infrared spectroscopy technology can be affected by electromagnetic fields and radio frequencies.

Anyone who faces conviction for DUI in Santa Clara County should have skilled attorneys on their side. Defendants can make things simpler for their defense lawyer by providing details about the arrest, along with police reports and BAC test results.  

Attorneys also need to know if their clients have charged with DUI in the past or if there were other factors associated with the arrest, such as personal injury or property damage.  

The costs connected to driving while intoxicated can be monumental. People who cannot afford legal counsel can obtain help from public defenders. While it is best to have a lawyer, public defenders tend to be overworked and unable to spend much time on each case.

When it comes to DUI charges, people ought to hire a lawyer who has time for them. On average, it costs between $750 and $1500 to retain a criminal defense DUI attorney in San Jose.

Other charges associated with drunken driving convictions include court fines, drug and alcohol abuse classes, and electronic monitoring equipment. Furthermore, a conviction could lead to loss of employment or suspension of professional license, such as those needed to drive a commercial vehicle.

It's never a good idea to take the risk of being pulled over for drinking and driving. However, those who err in judgment or are falsely accused need to take time to find a good DUI attorney to represent them. Click here to learn more about California's DUI laws and how to locate qualified law firms.