Category: DUI Defense

Millions of Americans will be celebrating the holiday season by attending social events and partying. Having fun and enjoying yourself is terrific. Doing it responsibly is even better. If you drive while under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, even prescription drugs, your decision to do so will cost you a lot of money if a police officer stops you. A Los Angeles DUI attorney will know what to do.

Costs of a DUI conviction in California

Many people do not realize how much mon
ey they will have to pay out if convicted of a DUI. According to the Insurance Information Institute of California, costs can be as much as $10,000 or more. You will have to pay for your attorney to represent you, higher insurance premiums, court costs, fines and traffic school. You will have to pay to get your vehicle out of impound at a cost starting at over $200. The bail bondsmen will charge you ten percent of your bond. Jail time will limit your ability to work. Do not forget about possible breathalyzer ignition switch costs, probation and the ability to not be able to drive for a period of time.

Implied consent

If you are pulled over while under the influence, beware. You will not have the legal authority to refuse a blood or breathalyzer test. Driving is a privilege and not a right. If you do refuse to perform either of them, you could lose your driver’s license for the minimum of one year.

A DUI can be defended

If you do find yourself in a bad situation, contact a DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf as soon as possible. Their attorneys possess the experience and knowledge needed to get you the best possible outcome. Call now at [number type=”1″], or visit our website today: http://www.youareinnocent.com.

Before you get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol this holiday season, stop and think. How would a conviction for driving under the influence affect you, your family and your bank account?

After factoring in fines, court costs, attorney’s fees, probation costs, traffic school and increased premiums for your car insurance, a DUI could cost you more than $10,000.

How a Holiday DUI Can Result in Financial Misery

Refusing administration of a roadside test or failing the test may result in immediate suspension of your license, and you may be taken into custody. In California and other states, you may be fined for refusing to take the test even if DUI charges are later dropped. If you are detained on suspicion of driving under the influence, you should contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney.

Costs You May Incur

Costs relating to an arrest for DUI can include:

• Impound fees for towing and storing your car.
• Bail bond, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars, along with a typical charge of 10 percent to a bail bondsman.
• Increased auto insurance premiums.
• Time lost from work. If you’re convicted, you may face jail time; in California, the minimum is 96 hours.
• Fines paid as part of a sentence.
• A reinstatement fee to recover your driver’s license.
• Participation in a mandatory alcohol treatment program and installation of an ignition lock in your vehicle to prevent another DUI.

If You’re Charged, Contact a Los Angeles DUI Attorney

Thousands of people die in car crashes related to alcohol every year. If you drink at holiday events, don’t get behind the wheel of your car; designate a driver or call a cab instead. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, you need representation from an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney. Call [number type=”1″], or visit our website.

Using a prescription medication helps the body when problems occur. Many medications reduce the symptoms of health conditions while an individual recovers. The primary problem associated with using a medication is the way the body reacts to the drug. Due to the way that prescriptions impact the body, some individuals hire California criminal defense lawyers when a problem arises while driving a car.

Dangers of Driving Under the Influence of Prescriptions

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, individuals must be certain that a medication will not cause complications when driving. Since some over-the-counter and prescription drugs cause potentially dangerous side effects, individuals should never operate a vehicle without first discussing the potential dangers with a medical doctor.

Common side effects that cause problems while driving include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Poor attention, particularly when a medication causes a lack of focus
• Vision problems
• Fainting spells
• Poor reaction times or slow movements

Side effects vary between medications and some side effects only occur when individuals use more than one medication, explains the FDA. Pay attention to any warning labels on a medication before driving a car to limit the risks.

Hiring a Lawyer After Being Pulled Over

California criminal defense lawyers offer services when an individual faces any legal complications after being pulled over and charged with driving under the influence of a drug. Since certain medications and over-the-counter drugs cause problems with physical health and abilities, individuals do not always understand the reasons for criminal charges. A lawyer can help determine an appropriate course of action based on the situation.

Medications help individuals heal or alleviate symptoms of physical ailments, but that does not mean that individuals can drive after using a prescription or over-the-counter drug. When charges do occur after using a medication, discuss your situation with a criminal defense lawyer with the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Call now at [number type=”1″], or visit our website today: http://www.youareinnocent.com.

A person is to be considered innocent until they are proven to be guilty in a court or law. But the police, media, and general public often don’t see things that way when it comes to driving under the influence.

A common consequence for a DUI conviction is a mandated installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. Now, lawmakers are working on legislation that would require all new automobiles to be equipped with a breathalyzer to measure the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). This would mean that anyone who buys and drives a new vehicle is assumed to be potentially guilty of driving under the influence.

The real assumption is guilt, not innocence. Having a good Los Angeles DUI attorney on your side for a drunk driving conviction can make a big impact on the outcome of your case. Some “evidence” may be inadmissible and charges may be dropped or reduced depending on the situation.

Licensed for Guilt

It is one thing to impose drunk driving prevention technology on those who have a history of driving intoxicated, but it is another to make everyone prove their innocence whenever they get behind the wheel. Mandated breathalyzer tests is that they are not always accurate. The drunk driving prevention technology can judge one person as impaired and another person as fine with the same actual blood alcohol level. There can be a 50% margin for error on a breathalyzer. Some attorneys advise clients to refuse roadside breathalyzer tests. A blood test is more consistent and reliable.

Beyond Legal Trouble

In addition to the possibility of fines, jail time, or a lost, suspended or restricted license, someone who has a DUI will see increased car insurance rates. This is why it is so important to hire a Los Angeles DUI attorney for any drunk driving accusation. For more than four decades, the criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been striving to bring back the presumption of innocence and protect the rights of clients. Call now at [number type=”1″], or go to our website: www.youareinnocent.com.

Across the US, organizations, law enforcement, and automakers have taken steps to protect the innocent from the horrors of drinking and driving. In 2013, 10,076 people lost their lives due to the negligence and impairment of drunk drivers, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and automakers are making huge strides in preventing an impaired driver from getting behind the wheel, explains Jason Cipriani.

A Fifth Vehicular Sense

Vehicles will have a specialized touch pad in the steering wheel, or in the push-to-start button, with an embedded sensor to analyze the driver’s BAC, or blood alcohol concentration. In most states, a BAC above 0.08 percent is considered impaired. The pad uses an infrared scan of the driver’s skin and analyzes the skin surface’s chemical composition. This is made possible as the body releases alcohol via the skin when drinking. However, future cars may have another drunk driving prevention technology as well.

Breathalyzers

If you have ever been pulled over and suspected of drinking and driving, you have probably seen a police-issued breathalyzer. These devices are often bulky and impractical for carrying around. However, the cars of the future will run an automatic breath-analysis, which is currently being tested, and would require less force and difficulty. The driver would be able to simply sit in the seat and breathe at a normal pace while the vehicle analyzes the estimated BAC in his breath.

Saving Lives and Protecting Yourself

Both of these technologies will change the world within the next few years. Specifically, Cipriani explains how these features may be available within the next five years as an optional add-on. This technology will also reduce the number of police needed for drunk driving prevention. Additionally, it will save countless lives and thousands of dollars and reduce the toll of drinking and driving. If you have found yourself in the cross hairs of the police due to a possible DUI, your future car may be able to stop you entirely. Furthermore, contact an experienced, Los Angeles DUI attorney at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Call now at 1(800)YouAreInnocent or (310) 277-1707, or go to our website:www.youareinnocent.com. Don’t let DUI accusations wreck your life.

If you’ve ever felt like the deck is stacked against you when it comes to drunk driving laws, you are justified in feeling that way. A recent ruling from California’s state Supreme Court is making life much more difficult for those who are charged with DUI. The court ruled that circumstantial evidence can be used to prove DUI. What does this mean in layman’s terms? It means that a police officer’s observations can be used in a court of law in an effort to prove that a motorist had an illegal blood-alcohol level.

The court’s ruling is based on Ashley Jourdan Coffey’s lawsuit against the state Department of Motor Vehicles that was filed after her driving privileges were suspended upon her guilty plea to a “wet reckless” charge. A police officer determined that Coffey was drunk based on her trouble completing field sobriety tests, the smell of alcohol on her breath and her bloodshot eyes. Her blood-alcohol level measured .08 percent. A different test administered three minutes later showed that her blood-alcohol level had risen to an illegal level of .09 percent.

Coffey argued that her blood-alcohol level was below the legal limit at the time that she was arrested. A DMV hearing officer rejected the argument, stating that the  EVIDENCE provided by law enforcement was sufficient enough to warrant a suspension. However, the state Supreme Court stated that Coffey should have been able to rely on expert testimony to bolster her case.

Coffey’s case has the potential to create a ripple effect that permits the consideration of circumstantial evidence. In the future, significant weight could be placed on circumstantial evidence such  AS a police officer’s detection of the strong odor of alcohol. This is a troublesome precedent as it allows the subjective opinion of a police officer to carry significant weight in a court of law. For example, a poor performance on a field sobriety test can now be used in an effort to prove impairment, even without the presence of more damning evidence.5

It is clear that those accused of drunk driving need the assistance of a Los Angeles DUI attorney at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf now more than ever. Do not hesitate to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation. You can call us by dialing [number type=”1″], or visit us online at www.youareinnocent.com.

According to The Press-Ente, the state of California just made it a little bit easier to take away a driver’s license in a DUI case. In a court decision made on April 6th of this year, the California Supreme Court determined that circumstantial evidence can be considered by the Department of Motor Vehicles when determining whether or not a driver’s blood-alcohol content falls above the legal limit.

The Case
In November 2011, Ashley Jourdan Coffey was pulled over after being observed swerving on the 55. The officer at the scene noted that Coffey’s eyes were red and that she smelled of alcohol. Coffey attests that she had been at a bar but had not been drinking there. Approximately one hour after being pulled over, Coffey’s breath-test showed a blood alcohol level of .08, and a few minutes later showed a blood alcohol level of .09.

When Coffey’s driver’s license was suspended by the DMV, she requested a hearing and argued the charges. She brought an expert toxicologist to the hearing who attested that her blood alcohol level rose to a point above the legal limit after the police pulled her over, and that at the time she was driving, Coffey’s blood alcohol level fell within legal limits.

The DMV rejected the testimony, and the case was brought to court.

The Decision
The court’s ruling was ultimately in favor of the DMV. The decision to suspend the license was upheld, and the circumstantial evidence (the swerving car, the alcohol smell) was ruled as being relevent. The court did advise the DMV to use caution when using circumstantial evidence to discredit expert testimony.

Future Impact
This ruling means that more drivers might see their licenses suspended in future cases, and throwing out those charges could be more difficult. Drivers who display any evidence of possible DUI might lose their license and find themselves unable to effectively argue their case with the DMV.
Have you recently been charged with a DUI? Now more than ever, you need an experienced and skilled lawyer to come to your defense. Call [number type=”1″] for a consultation, or visit our website for more information.

There is a good reason that drinking and driving is a criminal offense in the United States. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), someone is killed from a drunk driving accident every 53 minutes in the US—adding up to about 27 people dead every day due to something that is entirely preventable. Someone is injured from a drunk driving accident every 90 seconds. Many people think about drunk driving conceptually and frown on those who have been caught. We like to think of people who have gotten a DUI or who have been in a drunk driving accident as those who have problems with their drinking behaviors. However, that is a fallacy—and a dangerous one at that. On average, and individual will drive under the influence 80 times before getting arrested. Drunk driving can happen to anyone, from the regular drinker to the social drinker. It doesn’t matter what you are drinking. Your ability to drive safely depends solely on how much you’ve had to drink and how much time there has been since your last beverage.

Knowing these facts is one thing—understanding them on a personal level is something entirely different. Drunk driving can happen to anyone, and it is not wise to think that you are exempt from the consequences.

Having a good time isn’t a crime, but driving home afterwards is. Keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe by being smart with your transportation options. AAA’s Tipsy Driver program is a great solution for when you need a way to get home.

AAA provides the service 100% free of charge on most holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s and Cinco de Mayo. They will tow your car and give you a safe ride home, keeping you off the road when you aren’t in the right mind to be driving. AAA’s free program is a fabulous resource for you to take advantage of. While free on holiday’s, calling AAA or another towing company any other day of the year will also be the more cost effective option. If it doesn’t cost you your life, getting caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will cost you a lot of money. In California, the average cost of a DUI is over $16,000 dollars. That is only addressing the fines that come with the penalty. If there is damage done to your own vehicle or someone else’s, then the insurance cost can get a whole lot higher. Paying for a quick tow home ends up being the much more cost effective option.

The AAA Tipsy program shouldn’t be your plan A. The best thing to do is plan ahead and designate a driver. Maybe plan on using public transportation or hiring a taxi to help you get home. You can’t make a reservation with AAA for this, and they will get busy on major holidays. It is paramount that you plan ahead and stay safe out there. Remember, you are in control of your own decisions. If you have a drink, stay away from the wheel.

Everyone has a bad day, and if you find yourself in trouble after a drinking and driving incident, don’t give in too fast. A DUI criminal attorney can walk you through the process of getting your license back so you can get back on the road and on with your life. For more information about what to do next, contact the Law Office of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″].

A female driver is in police custody after she smashed into a police cruiser in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 7. The accident occurred in Compton. The unidentified woman is being accused of driving under the influence. The LA County Sheriff’s deputy reports that the woman’s vehicular crash left several individuals with injuries. The accident occurred at the intersection of South Main Street and West Rosecrans at 3 in the morning. The driver’s sedan was carrying four people at the time that it crashed into the marked patrol unit. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to help the passengers out of the vehicle. They were all hospitalized with minor injuries. The police cruiser also endured significant front end damage. The deputy was driven to a local hospital, treated for his injuries and later released.

If you ever find yourself in a situation anything like the one described above, don’t attempt to navigate such a difficult path all by yourself. The legal professionals at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf are here to help you when you need it the most. We have been helping those charged with crimes for over 4 decades. That amounts to the defense of thousands of adults as well as juveniles charged with all different types of crimes. Our savvy DUI lawyers know the California courts inside and out so you can rest assured that we will zealously represent you and protect your interest to the fullest.

The focus of our practice is criminal law, specifically drunk driving and addiction related offenses. Lawrence Wolf and his criminal lawyer Los Angeles associates are experts in arguing for alternatives to jail sentences. We have helped clear charges, obtain rulings for diversionary programs or house arrest and achieved numerous other favorable results. We have worked with Judges and District Attorneys throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Sacramento counties.

Contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, California’s top DUI attorney, right away for a free consultation. Anyone who is being investigated for a crime or those who have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime should not wait one moment longer to secure the services of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Our criminal law Los Angeles based law firm can be reached by phone at [number type=”1″]. You can also visit us on the web at: http://youareinnocent.com/.

New legislation introduced recently in the California State Assembly aims to improve boating safety by keeping drunk drivers out of the captain’s seat. Assembly member Marc Levine of San Rafaelintroduced a bill that would allow law-enforcement officers to seek search warrants for checking blood-alcohol levels of anyone suspected of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Levine commented that the state already has some of the nation’s strictest DUI laws on the books but that tough laws against drinking while boating are needed as well. He added that boating under the influence has become a grave threat to public safety in California and that his bill empowers law enforcement to discern whether someone operating a boat is impaired.

The new bill seeks to expand an existing 2013 law. Under that law, if a motor vehicle driver is thought to be impaired but won’t submit to a blood test, law-enforcement officers can obtain a search warrant ordering a blood test. Levine’s bill would expand this authority to include blood tests of persons operating boats. A drunk driving attorney can provide additional details.

Levine noted that in 2013, more than 4,000 accidents involving recreational boating occurred. The accidents resulted in 560 deaths and more than 2,600 injuries. Levine stated that use of alcohol is the top cause of deadly boating accidents.

Boating under the influence laws becoming prevalent

An increase in boating deaths and injuries related to boating under the influence in recent years prompted a spate of laws enacted by state legislatures. Today, every U.S. state and the federal government have laws on the books against BUI.

The laws criminalize operating a marine craft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As is the case with DUI and DWI, legal ramifications of BUI can be severe, including fines, suspension or revocation of boating licenses and incarceration in serious cases involving deaths or injuries. Anyone involved in such an incident should consult with a crime law attorney.

If you operate any type of marine craft — including a fishing vessel, sailboat, yacht or personal watercraft — it’s important to understand BUI laws. With warmer weather approaching, it’s a good time to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in criminal law Los Angeles.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, criminal lawyer Los Angeles, or call [number type=”1″].