Orange County DUI with Injury Attorney
Drunk Driving Accidents in Orange County
When a driver is involved in a car crash, law enforcement may be quick
to believe that the driver's intoxication is to blame for the accident,
when this may not be the case. Another driver may have caused the accident—or
it may have been caused by poor road or weather conditions.
According to the California Vehicle Code § 23153, it is unlawful to
drive under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. By doing so, a driver
commits a negligent action that can result in the injury of a person other
than the driver. This is a felony offense, although sometimes it may be
considered a misdemeanor. In order for this charge to be valid, it must
be proven that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Arresting officers will do this by way of a chemical test that must be
conducted within three hours after driving.
If you or someone you know was involved in a DUI auto accident, contact
an Orange County DUI attorney at Gold & Witham today. We are experienced
in dealing with these cases.
Cases We Have Handled
Below are some of the types of cases our attorneys have defended:
-
Vehicular Manslaughter / DUI Manslaughter
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Causing Great Bodily Injury
- Hit and Run Accidents Involving DUI
Not only will the defendant face the
DUI court process, but also a
DMV hearing; they may even face a civil lawsuit filed by the victim seeking compensation
for injuries and suffering. Per the California Penal Code, someone convicted
of this crime may face up to 1 year in prison. Only with an aggressive
attorney does the defendant in such a case have a chance to avoid a conviction.
Defense from an Orange County DUI Attorney
Most DUI accidents are charged as
felony offenses, where the minimum sentence is 12 months in state prison. Additional
penalties may be assessed as well. Beyond that, a conviction for DUI causing
great bodily injury may count as a "strike" on the defendant's
criminal record. Make no mistake that your future and freedom are on the
line when facing charges involving an auto accident. At Gold & Witham,
our legal team has 40+ years of experience in criminal defense.
Let our team of Orange County DUI lawyers work to help you avoid a conviction!