Torrance DUI Attorney
Arrested for DUI in the Torrance area? Now is the time to act and involve an attorney who can work aggressively to defend your legal rights and interests in criminal court and at your DMV hearing to challenge the suspension of your driver's license. At Gold & Witham, we work very hard in our legal practice to defend those charged with drunk driving-related offenses throughout the South Bay. We have handled thousands of cases in our many years of experience and are ready to see how we can assist you. When you chose to work with a DUI attorney at our firm, you can count on our compassion, experience and tireless commitment to the preservation of your legal rights and freedom.
DUI offenses are often regarded by unknowing individuals as "traffic tickets" which in the legal system are classified as civil infractions. This is not the case however, as DUI offenses are in fact, criminal charges and are prosecuted much more heavily and severely. These charges cannot be taken lightly and they must be defended by truly dedicated, and experienced DUI defense lawyers. The attorneys at our firm have years of experience defending people from throughout Torrance and South Bay with their DUI cases. This includes the defense in DMV hearings to obtain temporary driving privileges while the criminal case is pending.
The chances of avoiding a criminal conviction and keeping your license may seem slim if you were pulled over and subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You may have been asked to perform field sobriety tests and were told that you failed these. You may have taken a
breath or blood test that showed a result of .08% or greater, above the legal limit to drive. There are various defense strategies that may work to keep you from imprisonment and a conviction altogether. A careful review of your case may reveal that you were unlawfully tested or that the breathalyzer device was improperly calibrated, among other mistakes or violations. Your DUI attorney can determine the best approach for your individual case.
Challenging Drunk Driving Arrests and Charges
Our DUI defense law firm offers a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney in order to see how we may be able to help you with your case. With over forty years in criminal law, including tenure with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the lawyers at our law firm have the know-how and experience to help clients facing even the most complex or serious traffic violations and DUI charges. We can handle drunk driving-related cases such as felony DUI, underage DUI, DUI accidents,
multiple DUI offenses,
commercial driver DUI and even vehicular manslaughter.
Underage DUI
In California, drinking and driving while below the legal drinking age will result in serious penalties. If you or a family member has been accused of underage DUI, it is highly recommended that you contact a DUI attorney from our firm as soon as possible. We will do everything in our power to get your charges reduced or even dropped. If you are found to have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol content) of 0.01% or above, you could be convicted. Not only that, but you could lose your ability to drive and pay heavy fines. A conviction will to a permanent mark on your criminal record. It could negatively affect your future educational and career opportunities as well as your ability to drive. Let us help you avoid these consequences. Contact a member of our firm for a consultation or click here to learn more about underage DUI.
The DUI Process
DUI charges go through a two-part process when charged. The first is the civil case which involves the suspension of your drivers' license upon arrest and booking. The second involves the criminal case where you will be arraigned in a criminal court and prosecuted by the District Attorney. Because DUI cases must be dealt with on these two very different levels, you must ensure that the lawyer you hire be as experienced as possible in defending you in each situation. The outcome of poor representation can result in the suspension of your drivers license during the DMV Hearing and the possibility of jail time and heavy court fines upon conviction in criminal court. Make no mistake, DUI charges are very serious and can ruin you and your family's livelihood if not defended properly.
DUI Penalties: A Misdemeanor Offense
DUI (driving under the influence) is a traffic violation which is most often a misdemeanor offense. A DUI defense attorney is absolutely essential for a person who has been arrested for driving under the influence. DUI is not a ticket that you can pay and then ignore. DUI is a crime which carries serious penalties, including license suspension and possible jail time. A drunk driving case will go through the Torrance DUI court process as well as a DMV hearing – and a DUI lawyer at our firm can help you at every step of the way. From a first-time DUI arrest all the way to a serious auto accident involving injury or loss of life, a competent legal professional at our offices can offer you the honest insight and information you need to make the right choices about your case and your legal counsel.