San Francisco DUI Attorney

Dedicated & Experienced Bay Area DUI Defense Team

After a DUI arrest in San Francisco, you may be asking, “What should I do next?” It’s understandable to feel worried or unsure about the steps needed to protect your rights and reputation.

At The Blalock Law Firm, PC, our San Francisco DUI attorney evaluates the evidence and builds a defense based on the circumstances of your case. The details of the traffic stop, arrest, and chemical testing can shape our strategy. Our review includes:

• Investigating the location where you were stopped
• Determining whether the officer had sufficient cause to stop you
• Challenging field sobriety, breath test, and blood test evidence

Facing DUI charges? Contact us at (925) 259-3270  to discuss your defense with our San Francisco DUI attorney.

Is It Worth It to Hire a San Francisco DUI Lawyer?

Yes, it’s worth it in California. A San Francisco DUI lawyer can review the prosecution’s evidence, identify weaknesses in the stop or testing process, and explain your legal options. Depending on the facts, those options can include challenging evidence, negotiating a plea agreement, or preparing for trial.

DUI charges can significantly affect your life, making it important to hire the right legal representation. Attorney Anthony Blalock received DUI defense training at Harvard Law School and personally handles every client’s criminal court hearings and DMV suspension hearings.

If you haven’t been through criminal court before, you probably don’t know what happens inside a courtroom. We explain each stage, evaluate whether a negotiated resolution or trial fits the circumstances, and negotiate with prosecutors when plea bargaining serves the defense strategy. We can also tell you when it’s smart to take the stand and when it’s best to avoid being grilled by prosecutors. Our services include case evaluations, trial representation, license restoration assistance, and expungement assistance.

We report that 99% of our clients avoid additional jail time. That record doesn’t guarantee a particular result, but it reflects our focused work on DUI defense and our attention to both the criminal case and its licensing consequences.

The Criminal Case & DMV Administrative Per Se Hearing

A California DUI arrest starts two separate proceedings: a case in court and a DMV Administrative Per Se proceeding concerning your driving privileges. The court addresses the criminal charge, while the DMV determines whether an administrative license suspension should take effect.

You have 10 days after receiving notice of the action against your driving privileges to request a DMV hearing. As part of our representation, we send a free letter to the DMV within that window to preserve your right to a hearing. Attorney Blalock personally handles the DMV suspension hearing and related court appearances.

If the DMV issues an adverse hearing decision, a driver can request an administrative review and appeal the decision to Superior Court. These options are separate from defending the criminal DUI charge.

San Francisco DUI Arraignments at the Hall of Justice

San Francisco Superior Court hears DUI cases at the Hall of Justice. Because San Francisco is a consolidated city and county, DUI arrests within its boundaries are arraigned there regardless of the neighborhood where the traffic stop occurred.

At the arraignment, the court addresses the charges and the next stages of the case. We review the allegations and available evidence before advising you about your options.

California DUI Blood Alcohol Concentration Laws

California law sets out several ways a person can face a DUI charge. The applicable rule depends on the type of vehicle involved and whether the allegation concerns alcohol, drugs, or both.

• Standard drivers: Vehicle Code 23152(b) prohibits driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more.
• Commercial drivers: Vehicle Code 23152(d) prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or more.
• Impairment allegations: Vehicle Code 23152(a) prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both, regardless of the measured BAC.

An impairment charge doesn’t require the prosecution to rely solely on a BAC result. We review the officer’s observations, field sobriety testing, breath or blood testing, and the circumstances of the traffic stop.

What Are the Consequences of a DUI in California?

A DUI arrest in California can have serious and long-lasting consequences. The court and DMV proceedings can each affect your driving privileges and future.

Potential California DUI consequences include:

• Jail, fines, and court fees: A first DUI conviction under Vehicle Code 23536 carries 96 hours to six months in county jail and a fine of $390 to $1,000, plus penalty assessments and court fees.
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation: For a driver age 21 or older with a first offense and a BAC of 0.08% or more, the DMV Administrative Per Se suspension is four months. Other circumstances can result in a longer suspension or revocation.
• Mandatory alcohol education: A conviction can require participation in an alcohol education program.
• Increased insurance premiums: A DUI can increase the cost of maintaining auto insurance.
• Potential loss of employment opportunities: A conviction or license restriction can affect current work or future opportunities.
• Repeat-offense treatment: California uses a 10-year look-back period when counting prior DUI convictions.
• Felony exposure: A DUI can become a felony on a fourth offense within 10 years or sooner when an injury is involved under Vehicle Code 23153.

The charge, alleged BAC, prior record, and whether an injury occurred affect the potential consequences. We evaluate those facts and explain how they apply to the criminal case and license proceeding. You don’t have to face these consequences alone.

Let Us Defend Your DUI Case in San Francisco

Our San Francisco DUI defense lawyer handles both the court and DMV aspects of your case. We know DUI charges can leave you anxious about your future and freedom, so we explain the process and remain available throughout the representation.

We offer free consultations, a flat-rate fee so you know the cost upfront, and flexible payment plans. You can discuss the arrest and next steps without committing to representation before you understand your options.

Use our online contact form or call (925) 259-3270 to request your free consultation today.