A California DUI arrest can bring stress, tension and a lot of worrying to you. California law states that if you drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you violate Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and you will be arrested. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, you can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Palm Desert DMV Hearings Attorney Lawyers of Coachella Valley
The arresting officer will ask you to perform a number of field sobriety tests to determine if you are intoxicated and if so, the extent of your intoxication.
Next Steps
- Your arrest will be handled in two separate cases:
- The criminal case
- The DMV case
The Criminal Case
You will first be prosecuted by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. If your case goes to a jury trial, all of the jurors must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty before you can be convicted.
DMV Case
At the time of arrest, the police officer will take your license from you. When you are released, a pink temporary license or order of suspension will be issued; it is good for 30 days. You will be advised that you have 10 days to schedule a DMV hearing.
This hearing is separate from the criminal court case. It takes place at the DMV Driver Safety Office. You, your attorney and a DMV hearing officer are present. You will discuss if you were lawfully arrested, what your blood alcohol was and if you were the actual driver. If you answered yes to all, your license will be suspended.
Contact an experienced Palm Springs DMV Hearings attorney like the ones at The Law Offices of Dale S. Gribow. The attorneys have helped hundreds of people in this type of situation survive DUI arrests. The attorneys will make sure the charge does not follow you around for years.