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Do I need a lawyer for a DUI in California?

DUI conviction can result in expensive fines, the loss of your driver's license, and could impact your job and daily life. If you care about your driving privileges and want to keep a criminal conviction off your record, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a California DUI arrest.

What will a lawyer do for me in a DUI case?

What a lawyer will do for you depends on the lawyer. An experienced DUI defense lawyer will have represented many clients in a similar situation and can explain the process so you can relax knowing you're in good hands. Understanding the court process before, during, and after a DUI criminal case goes a long way to reducing anxiety about the situation.

A DUI lawyer will generally begin the case by gathering all available evidence. This includes your testimony, witness testimony, police reports, lab results, and determining if there is any other audio, video, or other evidence available. Your attorney will review all the evidence in order to identify any issues and weak points in the prosecutor's case.

Experienced lawyers have received training and certification on field sobriety testing, laboratory analysis of blood samples and the operation of all breath testing devices.

Depending on the case, your lawyer can file motions to suppress evidence, which may even result in having your case dismissed. If the case goes to trial, your lawyer will present a case to the judge and jury to show that the prosecutor has not met his or her burden of proof to convict you of any crime.

In other cases, your lawyer can negotiate the best deal with the prosecutor to avoid jail time, reduce the number of criminal charges, and help you avoid a more serious criminal conviction.

Can't I just get a public defender to handle my case?

You have the right to an attorney if you cannot afford one. Public defenders are only provided to defendants who meet certain financial requirements. You have to fall below a certain limit for income and savings before you become eligible for a public defender.

Public defenders are licensed attorneys. However, these lawyers often have heavy caseloads and may not have all the resources to provide the optimum level of service to their clients.

Even if you get a public defender, at the end of your case, the court may order you to pay the cost of the services of your attorney.

My friend had a lawyer for a DUI and still got convicted. Why should I bother with a lawyer if it won't help my case?

Every case is a little different and you should not rely on what someone else tells you when it comes to fighting your own criminal charges. This is why it is important to not only have a lawyer but to find the right DUI defense lawyer who will advocate for you.

How do I find the right East Bay DUI defense lawyer?

Internet ads, newspaper listings, and even bus stops advertise for lawyers to help you in all kinds of situations. However, the best way to find the right lawyer for you is to talk to the lawyer and decide if he or she is the best person to fight for you. Send an email, fill out an online contact form, or make a phone call. The reply you get can tell you a lot about the lawyer's dedication to clients facing a serious criminal charge. 

Check the attorney's website and read client testimonials and reviews.

In a time of need, most people are looking for one person who will handle their case from beginning to end, and not pass off the case between a handful of people. Some big law firms wheel out their top lawyer to get you to sign up and write a check but then they'll hand off the case to their less experienced associates.

East Bay DUI Lawyer Who Will Handle Your Case from Beginning to End

East Bay attorney Lynn Gorelick is the Past-President of the California California DUI Lawyers Association and has more than 35 years of DUI experience and will represent you personally in criminal court and before the DMV hearing. She understands how to approach the individual facts of each case for the greatest chance of success. Lynn Gorelick is familiar with the local DUI laws in Contra Costa and Alameda counties and the local officers and prosecutors involved. Contact East Bay DUI lawyer Lynn Gorelick today.

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