DUI Defense Attorneys Serving San Mateo and San Francisco

DUI defense lawyers determined to protect your rights

It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in California and it is a misdemeanor to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 percent or higher.

• An officer must have probable cause to stop, detain and arrest you and must advise you that submission to a field sobriety test is not required by law.
• If you are arrested, you must be advised of your constitutional rights: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you. You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed.
• You must be given a choice of breath or blood testing and if you refuse, there are legal consequences.
• If you submit to a breath test at the police station, you have to be given the chance to get your own blood sample for later testing by your own attorney.

DUI is classified as a felony when drunk driving results in injury or death to another person.

Finding the flaws, probing for the truth

If you did submit to a blood, breath or urine test, we ask the following questions:

• Did the peace officer have reasonable cause to believe you were driving a motor vehicle in violation of the vehicle code?
• Were you placed under lawful arrest?
• Were you driving a motor vehicle when you had a BAC level of .08 percent or more?

If you refused or failed to complete a blood, breath or urine test, we ask these questions:

• Did the peace officer have reasonable cause to believe you were driving a motor vehicle in violation of the vehicle code?
• Were you placed under lawful arrest?
• Were you told that refusing the tests or failure to complete them would mean suspension of your driving privilege for one year or revocation of your driving privilege for two or three years?
• Did you refuse to submit to or fail to complete the test after a peace officer requested you to take the test?

Arresting officers do not always follow proper procedure. Testing equipment of blood, breath and urine can be faulty and give false readings. As veteran DUI defense attorneys, we know exactly where to probe to uncover the truth. And our strong analytical backgrounds combined with experience in gathering evidence and effective storytelling work to the benefit of our clients.

Know your rights

Serving clients in the San Francisco Bay area, the San Mateo criminal lawyers at the Law Office of K.J. Petsas, PC offer the experience and attentive counsel you need to tackle defense of your criminal charges. We are conveniently located in South San Francisco and encourage you to give us a call at 650.624.8155 or contact us online to take advantage of our free initial consultation. We return all calls within 12 hours.

DUI Defense Attorneys Serving San Mateo and San Francisco