Bay Area Criminal Defense Blog

Another summer comes to a close in the East Bay. For many, Labor Day represents the end of the summer break, when kids go back to school, college is back in session, and the weather starts to turn cooler and cloudier. It also marks the end of the so-called 100 deadly days of summer, with increase...

It is a violation of California's vehicle laws to  drive under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Under current laws, it is not a defense to drunk driving charges just because the driver is using a vehicle's autopilot or self-driving feature. A driver in California was recently arrested and charged ...

The proposed $1 trillion infrastructure bill has a requirement for new vehicles to be equipped with a drunk-driving detection system. Impaired driving technology can monitor the driver and vehicle for drivers that may be impaired, tired, or distracted. However, some people are concerned about the...

In December 2018, Utah became the first state to lower the per se drunk driving limit to 0.05% from 0.08%. Like all other states, the per se threshold for blood alcohol content (BAC) in California is 0.08%. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended lowering the per se BAC li...

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) can be fatal. Impaired drivers have a greater risk of getting into an accident and causing serious or fatal injuries. A fatal car accident is a tragedy but the driver never intended to hurt anyone. However, if the driver had a prior drunk driving convi...

Many Amazon employees report feeling the pressures of performing on the job, with limited break opportunities, fast-paced expectations, and high pressure. When some people are stressed at home or at work, they may turn to chemical substances to unwind. When the job involves delivery driving, usin...

College students often come home after finals to spend the summer hanging out with friends or working a summer job. Many university students may have stayed home most of last year, taking classes online. However, now that the COVID-19 restrictions are lifting in California, young people are looki...

Memorial Day is the beginning of “100 Deadly Days of Summer.” According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there are a number of days during the summer that have higher than normal rates of impaired driving accidents. Generally, the summer drunk driving arrests begin with Memorial Day and e...

Law enforcement officers often try to expand their search and seizure authority. When someone's rights have been violated, the victim may have to challenge the search in court, to hold the police accountable for their actions. A recent Supreme Court ruling found police went too far in searching a...

A lot of people are caught up in the criminal justice system after making a simple mistake. Instead of having a criminal record that may brand you for the rest of your life, some counties are offering pre-filing diversion programs. Alameda County has been granting motions for dismissal with diver...

The amount of traffic on the streets and highways in Northern California plummeted after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the area in March of 2020. Traffic has been steadily increasing since that time but is still not as high as the pre-outbreak levels. However, the rates of drunk driving arrests appea...

The state tells you that after a DUI, you need to complete an education and counseling program if you want your license back. DUI school generally requires 30 plus hours of educational classes and counseling, in-person. With so many programs shut down and in-person classes canceled in California,...

Diversion programs give individuals a second chance by dropping criminal charges if the individual completes all the requirements set by the judge. Drug diversion programs are helpful for non-violent offenders who may be better served by treatment programs than time in jail and a criminal record....

If the police suspect someone committed a misdemeanor, can the officer enter the suspect's house without a warrant? The Supreme Court recently heard a California case where an officer entered a driver's garage without a warrant because the officer believed the driver had committed a misdemeanor v...

Romantic holidays like Valentine's Day are often celebrated with pre-dinner cocktails, a nice bottle of wine, or even some champagne to celebrate. After such a tough year, it might be nice to celebrate with a few drinks. However, if you are going to go out on Valentine's night after having a few ...

The most recent stay-at-home orders in Alameda County went into effect on December 7. Some businesses can now reopen, including outdoor dining, bars, wineries, and breweries. Many people are excited to get back out and meet up with friends over a few drinks. However, police in the East Bay will s...

Every new year, there are a few new traffic laws California drivers should be aware of, or else risk a traffic stop. Even if some of these traffic violations seem minor, it is important to remember that any traffic violation can give the police a reason to pull you over. Once the police make a va...

This page is an action plan for anyone who had the unfortunate experience of getting arrested for a DUI over the New Year's holiday. Below you will find important information and deadlines to help you avoid the most costly mistakes after a drunk driving arrest. After reviewing the information, if...

Every holiday season, law enforcement in the East Bay are on the lookout for impaired drivers. This year is no different, even with the COVID-19 restrictions and fewer people traveling. The days around Christmas and New Year's still have higher rates of traffic accidents and impaired drivers. If ...

There is already enough on the line after a DUI without having to worry about losing your job. A drunk driving arrest can quickly lead to loss of your driver's license, expensive fines, high insurance rates, and even the possibility of jail time. However, some professionals, including nurses and ...

There is a common myth that domestic violence spikes around the holidays. The holidays can be stressful for many and stress may come out in violence. However, there does not seem to be evidence of an increase in calls to domestic abuse hotlines around Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. ...

When getting pulled over after having one too many drinks, the driver may go down a parade of horribles with how an arrest will impact their personal life and career. For doctors and medical professionals, a drunk driving arrest can have a significant effect on their job and livelihood, and any a...

There are a lot of misconceptions about drunk driving arrests and criminal charges in California. Some of this is based on TV shows or movies, others are based on rumors from something that happened to “a guy I know.” Don't rely on everything you hear about what is legal or illegal for the police...

With more of the COVID-19 restrictions easing in California and the East Bay, more cars are returning to the road. The police are also keeping an eye on drivers, watching for drivers who might be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Law enforcement in California are also continuing to...

It's been a rough year for East Bay residents. With some of the toughest COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in the country, residents are ready to let loose a little bit to spend time with friends and family over the Labor Day weekend. Before going too wild over the 3-day weekend, it is important to kn...