SAN FRANCISCO DUI LAWYER WITH A REPUTATION FOR SUCCESS
If you are accused of driving under the influence in the Bay Area, San Francisco DUI lawyer Valery Nechay can help. Contact us for a free consultation.
When Do You Require San Francisco DUI Lawyers?
People find themselves requiring the services of a San Francisco DUI attorney more often than they would care to admit. With numerous one-way streets and heavy traffic, the city by the bay is one of the most difficult California cities to navigate, which makes inadvertent errors in driving common occurrences.
Being pulled over by city police is always unnerving, and even more so if the driver has had one or more alcoholic drinks. If you are arrested for DUI or DWI, you may face serious repercussions that may include jail time or having your driving privileges revoked or suspended.
Consulting with experienced criminal defense lawyers and asking for legal advice will be a great way to deal with it. The lawyer will help you understand available legal options based on your committed DUI offenses.
Retain a DUI Lawyer in San Francisco
If you face criminal charges or a DUI arrest in the San Francisco Bay Area, a San Francisco DUI attorney can help. After assessing the case, a savvy California DUI lawyer will strive to have your DUI case dismissed or reduced to a less serious charge. If they are unable to do that, they will advocate for you and represent you during the trial.
After a DUI arrest, you need a California law firm well-versed in DUI law. Valery Nechay of The Law Office of Valery Nechay has years of experience in this area of defense and has precisely what it takes to skillfully defend her clients and get results. Serving clients throughout the Bay Area, she is aware of the most modern and successful methods that prosecutors use to prove that someone is guilty. Therefore, she knows the best options for developing a winning criminal defense strategy.
Why You Should Hire a San Francisco DUI Attorney
If a police officer has arrested you for driving while intoxicated, you should call a San Francisco DUI attorney as soon as possible. DUI cases in California are some of the few that result in a civil case with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in addition to a criminal case, so a criminal record is not the only thing at stake for you.
Once an SF police officer has arrested you, you will have to forfeit your driver’s license. A 30-day temporary one will replace it. You then have ten days to contact the local DMV to request a hearing so you can contest your license suspension.
A DMV hearing can be stressful, and it is wise to retain the services of a prominent legal office to represent you. For an initial DUI, the longest amount of time the DMV can suspend your license is a few months. Often, an experienced DUI defense attorney can obtain a restricted license for you, allowing you to maintain your work or school schedule.
What Is the Purpose of a California DMV Hearing?
When police officers arrest someone on a DUI charge, they issue them a notice of suspension. The notice serves as an alternative for the confiscated driver’s license for the next thirty days.
After a DUI arrest, law enforcement officers must forward a copy of the completed notice of suspension form and driver’s license to the California DMV. The DMV will review the officer’s report, the suspension order, as well as any potential test results.
An arrested driver has 10 days from the date of the arrest to request a DMV hearing with the Driver Safety Office, which has jurisdiction over the city where the DUI arrest occurred. DMV hearings give drivers charged with drunk driving an opportunity to show that the driver’s license suspensions are not justified.
After the arresting officer and the accused driver both present their evidence, the hearing officer will decide on the driver’s privileges. The goal of a DMV hearing is to get a Set Aside, meaning the license suspension action has been set aside, and the licensee is eligible to be reinstated.
Failing to request a DMV hearing will result in driver’s license suspension for a minimum of four months for first-time offenders.
Since the DMV is tough to deal with, a DUI defense attorney can make or break the situation. They will know what to say to achieve the best outcome.
San Francisco, CA DUI Consequences
Furthermore, a conviction in San Francisco, CA, can have long-reaching consequences. Even if it is your first offense, a DUI conviction in the Bay Area may result in the following:
- Fines
- Possible forfeiture of your vehicle
- Prison or jail time
- Suspension of your driver’s license
Other common penalties include community service and probation. If, however, your DWI caused an accident that resulted in a fatality or the serious bodily injury of another, your charges and sentence will be more severe.
In any case, retaining a reputable criminal defense attorney with extensive experience representing clients in DUI cases is essential. Standing among the top California DUI lawyers, Valery Nechay of Valery Nechay Law will review your case and offer unwavering support throughout the legal process to help you obtain the best possible outcome.
An SF Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Can Help You Understand DUI Defense Law
When arrested for DUI in San Francisco, you will likely face the two following charges:
- DUI under Vehicle Code 23152(a)
- Driving with Excessive Blood Alcohol Content under Vehicle Code 23152(b)
If, however, it is determined from a criminal case search that you have previously been convicted of three DUIs within the last ten years, you will be charged with a felony DUI.
Any time you are arrested for driving under the influence, you should retain the services of a law firm with DUI defense experience. You will have months of court appearances, but your attorneys can often appear on your behalf for most.
Many San Francisco DUI attorneys’ clients are uncertain of the intricacies of criminal law that pertain to their case, but Valery Nechay is committed to informing and educating her clients on the law so they can make informed decisions and be active participants in exploring their legal options. To learn more about how these laws may apply to your case, contact The Law Office of Valery Nechay today.
Why You Want the Best DUI Lawyer in San Francisco
Even for the first offense, your penalties may be hefty, but the best DUI criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco might be able to weaken the state’s case and diminish any mandatory punishment.
For the first offense of a San Francisco DWI, the standard sentence and penalties include:
- Driver’s license suspension of six months
- Fines between $390 and $1,000 or more
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Jail time of two days to six months
- Mandatory attendance at a California DUI School
- Minimum of three years probation
Your criminal defense attorneys can often get your county jail time suspended and your fines reduced by supplementing with community service.
As part of a DUI plea or subsequent conviction, San Francisco judges will order that you attend and complete a mandatory drug and alcohol education program. Your blood alcohol content and whether it is your first, second, or third offense determine the length of time required.
Successive DUIs receive harsher penalties, which is why it is best to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney from a qualified law firm from the moment you’re charged with the first offense. In addition to representing you in court, your lawyer may be able to help you receive post-conviction relief.
How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in San Francisco?
Although the average fee of a DUI defense lawyer isn’t too high or costly in San Francisco, sometimes, you will find attorneys who ask for a high fee mentioning their experience and expertise in this area. However, a great pick is one who possesses relevant expertise, and experience in the court, and has enough knowledge to understand your unique case and help you accordingly.
Every DUI case is unique and different based on its facts and evidence. Thus, your attorney should be capable enough to understand the severities and come up with a perfect solution to help you out.
However, if a case undergoes trial, the fee will be higher because the attorney will have to put in additional effort than usual to help you out and protect your life from the consequences of charges.
How Do I Find the Best DUI Lawyer in San Francisco?
Looking for an expert DUI attorney in San Francisco has never been so easy. You have to consider several factors and pay attention to multiple things to select the best option to consider. When searching for the best attorney, ensure that you strictly consider the experience and expertise.
Relevant experience in a particular area with rock-solid expertise can help you protect your rights in court. Moreover, only a skilled lawyer can help you protect your life from the consequences of DUI charges. Secondly, consider their availability and cost.
DUI convictions can have detrimental effects on drivers’ lives. That’s why it’s crucial to choose wisely especially if you are facing felony DUI charges.
See Why Valery Nechay Law Is Among the Top San Francisco DUI Attorneys
Many people believe that their case is not sufficiently serious to require the investment of hiring a drunk driving defense attorney. They feel that they can adequately defend themselves in court, especially if they are driving under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medication. However, a DUI under substances that may impair your ability to drive can be pursued just as stringently.
Other people choose to save some money and take their chances by using the services of a court-appointed attorney, but public defenders are often overworked and underpaid. They usually recommend a plea deal rather than aggressively defending you in court.
By retaining an experienced San Francisco DUI attorney with a proven success record, you will receive the best DUI defense possible so you can begin moving forward – and the Valery Nechay criminal defense firm can help you with this.
Book a Free Consultation with a DUI Lawyer in San Francisco
A knowledgeable DUI lawyer in San Francisco will carefully investigate the DUI arrests of local law enforcement and police reports to construct a persuasive defense. Not only will a verdict of “not guilty” ensure you avoid a San Francisco county jail penalty or pay costly fines, but it will also protect your job, housing, and reputation throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you’re ready to begin building a solid DUI defense, contact The Law Office of Valery Nechay – the leading criminal defense law firm in San Francisco, to learn more about Valery Nechay and obtain a free consultation today!
SET UP A CONSULTATION TODAY
If you are under investigation or charged with a crime, I will consult with you in person and at no charge to you.