Sacramento DUI Lawyer
Sacramento DUI Lawyer
Sacramento DUI Lawyer
California laws are tough on those charged with drunk driving, but a conviction can cause you to suffer a lot more than just legal penalties. A conviction can alter your life in a variety of ways, such as costing you your job or making finding a good job difficult. It could also cause embarrassment and financial hardship for you and your family.
Hiring a Sacramento DUI lawyer right away can help you avoid a conviction or make it possible to work out a more favorable plea deal with the prosecution. Don’t be fooled, tricked, or bullied into believing there are no defenses against a DUI conviction. The right attorney can significantly soften the impact of your drunk driving charges.
Legal Penalties for Sacramento Drunk Driving Convictions
See the table below for the legal penalties you may suffer, depending on the circumstances of your case:
| DUI Offenses | Maximum Penalties |
| First-Offense DUI (Misdemeanor) | Up to 180 days in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, substance abuse treatment for three or nine months |
| Second-Offense DUI (Misdemeanor) | Up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, substance abuse treatment for eighteen or thirty months |
| Third-Offense DUI (Misdemeanor) | Up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, substance abuse treatment for thirty months |
| Felony DUI | Sixteen months, two years, or three years in county jail prison, fines, substance abuse treatment |
| DUI with Injury (Misdemeanor) | Up to one year in jail, up to $5,000 in fines, restitution to the victim, substance abuse treatment |
| DUI with Injury (Felony) | Prison, thousands in fines, restitution to the victim, substance abuse treatment |
The table above is a basic breakdown of penalties, but many aggravating factors can increase the penalties for even a first-time DUI in Sacramento. For example, beginning July 1, 2018, Uber and Lyft drivers can be arrested for a DUI when they’re only at a .04 blood alcohol concentration.
If you’ve injured someone, if your blood alcohol concentration was extreme, or if you had a minor in the vehicle at the time you were allegedly driving drunk, you could face even more severe penalties for your DUI conviction.
Defending You from a Sacramento DUI Conviction
Many people who have been charged with driving under the influence are convinced they have no way to avoid a conviction. They will sign the first plea deal the prosecutor offers and think they’ve gotten off easy. The problem is that the first plea deal is usually not the best offer they can get. Prosecutors make deals for a variety of reasons:
- They’re overworked and need to get cases off their desks.
- They know the evidence against you is weak, so they hope to avoid a trial they might lose.
- They recognize that police or lab errors have been made in your case.
- Your criminal history is limited, meaning convicting you of a serious charge might not be in the interest of justice or the community.
These reasons can make getting you a better deal far more likely. A good Sacramento DUI defense attorney may also be able to get your charges dismissed completely. The following are some successful defenses the attorneys at the Crowell Law Offices can use to make our clients’ DUI charges a thing of the past:
- The sobriety tests used on you were flawed.
- The police or lab made procedural or analytical errors.
- You weren’t drinking and driving at all.
- There was some question as to whether you were driving the vehicle.
- Your identity was stolen.
- You had been drinking, but you weren’t over the legal limit.
Sobriety Test Errors Are Common
Sobriety tests are designed to be used as evidence against you when you’ve been charged with a DUI. The police testify to the administration of these tests and how well you performed on them. Police make mistakes all the time.
For example, the officer could have misread the results of your breath test, or the device might not have been calibrated recently, meaning it didn’t provide an accurate reading.
There could be numerous explanations as to why you performed poorly on the sobriety tests you were administered.
To give you another example, many people who take the walk-and-turn test can’t walk in a perfectly straight line when they’re completely sober. The police could also have made assumptions about your behavior. They might have believed you were impaired by alcohol when you were actually suffering from a reaction to medication.
Other Ways a Sacramento DUI Conviction Could Impact Your Life
After you’ve been arrested on a drunk driving charge in Sacramento, you will begin thinking about the possible legal penalties you could suffer. You will likely be preoccupied with how much time you’ll spend in jail or prison, and you may not think much about the other consequences.
The truth of the matter is that jail or prison time is temporary, while the other consequences of a DUI could last a lifetime. You could suffer the following non-legal repercussions of your drunk driving charge:
- Your family life could be impacted.
- Your finances could suffer due to heavy fines and surcharges.
- Job prospects could be limited, or you could be fired from your job.
- Depending on the nature of your charge, you could lose some of your constitutional rights.
- Child Protective Services could become involved in your family’s life.
- Your criminal history might affect which housing areas you can live in.
- Some government programs will be closed to you.
Sacramento DUI FAQ
Case Results
Here is a list of recent results from our firm:
| CHARGES | RESOLUTION | COUNTY | DATE |
| M.C. – Misdemeanor DUI, Resisting, Refusal | Dismissed | Sacramento | 1/3/2025 |
| C.L. – DUI | Military diversion granted | Placer | 2/4/2025 |
| J.L.R – DUI I | Resolved wet for 10 days 3 mo class; + fine conversion 2 days, no refusal admission, refusal allegation dismissed, client’s DACA protected. | Sacramento | 1/2/2025 |
| A.N. – DUI | Second DUI dismissed, wet reckless argued rising blood alcohol and driving defense, .21/.22 | Sacramento | 12/18/2024 |
| Y.N.M – DUI | .11, DUI dismissed, wet reckless, one year probation | Sacramento | 1/18/2024 |
| S.H. – Felony DUI IV | Probation granted, HALT program, no prison | Sacramento | 12/13/2024 |
| L.A. – Misdemeanor 1203.4 DUI and Hit/Run | 1203.4 Granted, dismissed | Sacramento | 12/6/2024 |
| C.C. – 1203.4 2nd DUI | 1203.4 granted | Sacramento | 12/6/2024 |
| J.R. – DUI | Expungement granted and bench warrant recalled | Sacramento | 12/6/2024 |
| O.P. – DUI | Graduated Vet court Case dismissed | Sacramento | 12/6/2024 |
| G.C. – Felony DUI and Possession of Firearm | Felony dismissed, obtained misdemeanor no jail resolution (w/ alcohol class reduced from 6 mo to 3 mo), Client in school to be a contractor and can stay on track due to felony being dismissed (got court to offer it over the DA’s objection) | Sacramento | 11/19/2024 |
| R.S. – DUI (commercial driver) | Resolved for wet reckless | San Joaquin | 11/12/2024 |
| J.M. – 2nd DUI w/ Injury | 60 days alternative sentencing, no actual jail required | Placer | 11/7/2024 |
| N.H. – Misd Under 21 DUI | Resolved for wet reckless | Sacramento | 10/28/2024 |
| A.S. – Felony Vandalism (Juvy Vandalism, 20k in damages) | Felony dismissed, reduced to misdemeanor w/ 6 mo probation and record sealed, no detention time, community service only | Placer | 10/28/2024 |
| M.L. – 10851 Car Theft, on probation for Car Theft, w/ strike prior | Prior strike dismissed, client to serve local time after J&S, released from custody w/ other terms | Sacramento | 10/25/2024 |
| L.W. – Felony Evading w/ .25 second DUI (w/ prior DUI from 4/23) | Felony reduced to misdemeanor, alternative sentencing granted. Client started new job and can keep license w/ IID instead of the felony one year mandatory revocation. | Sacramento | 10/25/2024 |
| J.S. – fel 273.5, 60 day offer | Reduced first to PC 245 misdo, then PC 236 misdo | Placer | 10/25/2024 |
| M.B. – Misd DUI II DMV APS | Refusal set aside/dismissed | Sacramento | 10/24/2024 |
| L.W. – DUI I | Resolved for wet reckless | Sacramento | 10/23/2024 |
| A.V. – Felony Arson | Probation granted, one year w/ half, time served, prison sentence suspended. | Sacramento | 10/23/2024 |
| R.M. – Felony commercial burglary (multiple items) | Felony dismissed, changed to misdemeanor trespass, alternative sentencing 5 days and 8 yrs community service, restitution, one year probation | Yolo | 10/23/2024 |
| S.R. – Felony 245 assault w/ GBI, exposure 14 years prison, 14 years prison recommended by probation dept. | Romero motion filed, and granted. Alternative sentencing approved by court, w/ probation (no prison) | Yolo | 10/23/2024 |
| D.N. – Misdemeanor DUI I | 30 days owed for dui from 2006, client released after two actual days served, from court in interest of justice. | Sacramento | 10/23/2024 |
| A.F. – Misdemeanor DUI I | Resolved for wet, add to d/l | Sacramento | 10/23/2024 |
| R.M. – Felony Grand Theft | Resolved for misdemeanor | Yolo | 10/23/2024 |
| M.H. – Felony Possession for Sale, PC 69 (2 counts), hS 11351 & HS 11378 | Diversion granted, case delayed one year, and dismissed w/ proof of work and school and treatment/testing | Sacramento | 10/23/2024 |
| L.S. – First DUI | Resolved for wet reckless | Sacramento | 10/21/2024 |
| N.F. – Misdemeanor Hit/Run w. Injury | Proof shown – case dismissed | Placer | 10/17/2024 |
| A.V. – Felony Arson | Probation granted, one year county jail w/ two years probation, time served at sentencing | Sacramento | 10/21/2024 |
| C.C. – DMV APS Misdemeanor DUI I | Contested the basis for stop at APS hearing, result: Set Aside w/ DMV | Sacramento | 10/18/2024 |
| K.N. – Felony gun case w/ strike gun prior | Romero granted! Prior fel strike allegation dismissed | Sacramento | 10/17/2024 |
| B.D. – ID Theft | Resolved | Placer | 10/16/2024 |
| J.F. Charge: Felony Possession of Firearm | Results: Dismissed | County: Sacramento | 6/14/24 |
| I.J. Charge: Misdemeanor DUI | Results: Military diversion granted | County: Sacramento | 6/13/24 |
| P.G. Charge: Misdemeanor DV | Results: Reduced charge PC 236, no jail, 1yr probation after classes | County: Placer | 6/7/24 |
| C.T. Charges: Multiple drug DUI | Results: wet reckless, credits for time served. | County: Sacramento | 6/5/24 |
| A.M. Charges: Felony evading, and DUI | Results: Felony evading dismissed, plea only to DUI w/ no jail required | County: Sacramento | 6/4/24 |
| A.S. Charges: Felony corporal injury on spouse | Results: Retained post preliminary hearing, no bail set previously, further investigation and renewed bail motion, released on zero bail with conditions. | County: Sacramento | 5/27/24 |
| M.L. Charges: Two violations of probation for failure to report to probation. | Results: Time served, probation terminated, and client released. | County: Placer | 5/22/24 |
| M.D. Charge: Petty Theft | Results: Dismissed | County: Sacramento | 5/20/24 |
| A.G.(Saykally) Charge: Felony DUI V w. Priors | Results: 17b/1203.4 Granted | County: Sacramento | 5/17/24 |
| J.A. Charge: Felony Insurance Fraud | Results: 1203.4 Granted | County: Sacramento | 5/17/24 |
| J.A. Charge: Felony Hit/Run | Results: 1203.4 Granted | County: Sacramento | 5/17/24 |
| J.A. Charge: Felony Robbery | Results: 1203.4 Granted | County: Sacramento | 5/3/24 |
| S.M. Charge: Felony Warrant | Results: Warrant recalled, case dismissed. | County: Sacramento | 5/8/24 |
| N.R. Charge: Possession of a firearm | Results: Case dismissed | County: Sacramento | 5/10/24 |
| B.B. Charge: 1203.4 Felony Assault | Results: Dismissed pursuant PC1203.4 | County: Yolo | 5/9/24 |
| J.C. Charge: PC 594(b)(4) | Results: 1203.4 granted | County: San Joaquin | 5/3/24 |
| A.B. Charge: Misd DUI I | Results: add to d/l | County: Sacramento | 5/3/24 |
| A.B. Charge: Misdemeanor DUI I | Results: add to d/l | County: Sacramento | 5/3/24 |
| M.S. Charge: Misdemeanor Solicitation | Results: proof shown, case dismissed | County: Sacramento | 5/1/24 |
| L.T. Charge: Criminal threats | Results: Dismissed | County: Sacramento | 4/22/24 |
| J.A.Z Charge: Second offense driving on a suspended license | Results: Case dismissed | County: Calaveras | 4/16/24 |
| A.L. Charge: DV | Results: Decline | County: Sacramento | 4/16/24 |
| C.V. Charge: Felony vehicle theft | Results: resolved for ct.2 for 90 days, prior strike stricken w/o Romero | County: Sacramento | 4/5/24 |
| A.E. Charge: Two felony violations | Results: Two VOP petitions dismissed | County: Sacramento | 4/3/24 |
| J.S. Charge: Felony DV | Results: Decline | County: Sacramento | 4/3/24 |
| M.L. Charge: Felony car theft and evading | Results: The prior strike was dismissed, and the client was allowed to apply for medical home detention based on medical need. Probation granted. | County: Sacramento | 3/28/24 |
| R.B. Charge: Misdemeanor Domestic Violence | Results: 12 anger management classes for a case dismissal. | County: Sacramento | 3/27/24 |
| J.B. Charges: DUI | Results: Resolved for 1st DUI, 2 out-of-state priors stricken | County: El Dorado | 3/26/24 |
| A.F. Charge: Misdemeanor trespassing | Results: Diversion completed successfully, case dismissed. | County: Amador | 3/20/24 |
| V.G. Charge: Felony Embezzlement | Results: Probation granted, no actual jail if alternative sentencing completed | County: Placer | 3/13/24 |
| A.H. Charge: Felony DUI II w. GBI | Results: Probation Granted, client is given credit for time served in jail (less than a year actual) and released, one-year outpatient program w/ Kaiser | County: Placer | 3/13/24 |
| A.H. Charge: Misd DUI I | Results: Probation Granted, client is given credit for time served in jail (less than a year actual) and released, one-year outpatient program w/ Kaiser | County: Placer | 3/13/24 |
| D.O. Charge: Misdemeanor DUI I | Results: Resolved for wet reckless .11/.11 | County: Stanislaus | 3/8/24 |
| H.S. Charge: Misdemeanor DUI I | Results: Wet reckless | County: San Joaquin | 3/6/24 |
| J.T. Charge: Misdemeanor DUI II | Results: Second wet | County: Sacramento | 3/6/24 |
| I.W. Charge: Felony Domestic Violence | Results: Dismissed with 12 anger management classes. | County: Sacramento | 3/1/24 |
| F.B. Charge: Misdemeanor theft | Results: Mental health diversion granted. | County: Placer | 2/29/24 |
| B.F. Charge: Felony DUI w/ GBI | Results: result, home detention approved, no actual jail, no plea to strike or GBI. | County: Sacramento | 2/28/24 |
| M.H. Charge: DUI w/ refusal, HBA of .20 | Results: Resolve for dui w/ .15+ HBA, no refusal conviction in the criminal case. | County: Solano | 2/28/24 |
| T.P. Charge: Felony possession of an assault weapon/MJ cultivation | Results: Reduced to a misdemeanor, felony gun and theft, both felonies reduced, no actual jail required | County: Sacramento | 2/15/24 |
| J.C. Charge: Felony Corporal Injury | Results: Provided collateral consequences letter from immigration and got DV charge reduced to immigration |