Lake Forest DUI Attorney
Lake Forest DUI lawyer Richard Wagner has experience fighting for his clients facing DUI charges. Having an experienced attorney for your DUI in Lake Forest will protect your rights when facing DUI or other criminal charges. Working with an experienced DUI Lawyer Orange County early in the process can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.
“Rich is amazing. From the start Rich expressed his interest in this case, and he wasn’t lying. He was as passionate about taking this case to trial as much as we were. His communication and dedication to this case was beyond what we expected. He is definitely an attorney you want in your corner. Absolutely superb. Needless to say, Rich worked his magic; the charges were dropped. We couldn’t be more happy. Thanks Rich” B.J. Read what others have to say
Drivers in Lake Forest may not be aware of the potentially drastic repercussions of being charged with a DUI. Therefore, it is important to seek legal assistance from a Lake Forest DUI attorney as soon as possible to help protect your future.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be hazardous, putting everyone on the road at risk. When someone is charged with a DUI, they can face severe legal repercussions, including:
- Hefty Fines and Restitution
- Jail time
- The loss of your driver’s license
- Damage to your reputation
Maybe you had a beer at Bigshots, had a few while hitting balls at the Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center, enjoyed a glass of wine at Bru Grill, or had some drinks at Sammy’s Original. The CHP patrols I-5, the 241, and the Orange County Sheriff patrols El Toro Road and Lake Forest Drive, looking for impaired drivers.
The OC Sheriff’s Department is located at 20202 Windrow Dr., Lake Forest, California.
Contact Richard Wagner today to confidentially discuss your unique situation and begin building your defense.
Criminal Charges for a DUI in Lake Forest
Many drivers face DUI charges after being pulled over or involved in a motor vehicle accident. You can be charged with the crime of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is equal to or in excess of the legal limits. Generally, you are not allowed to drive with a BAC at or above:
- 08% for drivers 21 and over in a non-commercial vehicle
- 04% for drivers 21 and over while driving a commercial vehicle
- 01% for drivers under 21 or for drivers 21 and over who are on DUI probation
These thresholds are established under California Vehicle Code Section 23152. However, California also has vehicle code sections that prosecutors can use to charge you with a crime for driving under the influence of alcohol, even if your BAC does not exceed the legal limits. Vehicle Code Sections 23152(a) and 23153(a).
For a free legal consultation with a DUI lawyer serving Lake Forest, call (714) 721-4423.
DUIs in Lake Forest and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You will likely have to defend a criminal case if you are arrested and charged with a DUI. You will also have to face a hearing before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All drivers accused of a DUI have these two battles to fight.
The DMV gives you ten days after your DUI arrest or violation to arrange a hearing with the DMV. Drivers who fail to arrange for this hearing in a timely and proper manner will have their driving privileges automatically suspended.
The DMV has the power to suspend or revoke your license even if the DUI charges against you are reduced or dismissed. A professional DUI defense lawyer in Lake Forest can help you decipher how the criminal case and DMV hearing work.
Free Consultation with a Lake Forest DUI Lawyer Near Me, (714) 721-4423.
Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Lake Forest
You can face severe criminal penalties if you are convicted of a DUI. The penalties for a DUI also become harsher as you accumulate more DUI convictions.
DUI charges can also become aggravated if the incident has certain aggravating facts, such as minors in the vehicle, injuries to others, excessive speed and reckless driving, and high BAC. Whether this is your first DUI, a second DUI, a third DUI, or a case involving felony DUI with injury, the penalties and defense strategy change significantly based on prior history and the facts of the arrest. Given the gravity of the situation, it is absolutely essential that you contact Lake Forest DUI lawyer Richard Wagner without delay.
Richard Wagner is licensed by the State Bar of California, Bar #198699, and has achieved favorable outcomes for clients whose cases were filed at the Harbor Justice Center, including dismissals and overturned DMV suspensions. Review recent DUI case results for examples of how these cases have been resolved.
How A DUI Lawyer Can Help
A DUI attorney could potentially make the case that the police officer had no legitimate or legal justification for the traffic stop or didn’t adhere to the necessary protocols when conducting sobriety evaluations or setting up a DUI checkpoint. Richard Wagner might be able to get your charges dismissed or reduced to a less severe charge.
Lake Forest DUI Evidence
A knowledgeable Lake Forest DUI attorney can serve subpoenas to obtain and inspect the video footage and audio recordings, including radio dispatch tapes, of your DUI investigation that led to your DUI arrest. A complete investigation will entail an examination to see if your rights or privileges were violated to build your defense.
Your DUI Lawyer should review all statements from percipient witnesses and physical evidence obtained in your DUI investigation, such as blood samples or breath samples.
A thorough case review includes the Driving Under the Influence Report and the Age 21 and Older Officer’s Statement documented on DMV form DS367. Your attorney is also entitled to request every piece of evidence the prosecution collected during the investigation under Penal Code 1054, including material that could work in your favor under Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 US 83.
Subpoenas can be served on the police or crime lab to discover evidence about the blood testing procedures and the breath test, including records on whether the officer has been properly trained on how to administer the AlcoSensor V-XL breath machine, and whether the breathalyzer was working properly at the time of the test, as well as calibration check and accuracy check records.
It is highly recommended that you rely on a professional DUI lawyer for your Lake Forest DUI to evaluate your legal options and strategy. The goal is to build a strong defense while helping you handle your court case and DMV hearing.
DUI COURT / DMV INFORMATION
If you were arrested in Lake Forest for Vehicle Code 23152 or 23153, your case would be heard in the Orange County Superior Court, Harbor Justice Center, located at 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, California. The DMV is the Driver Safety Branch, 790 The City Drive, Suite 420, Orange, California, (714) 703-2511.
This court also handles DUI cases from Irvine and Mission Viejo.
LAKE FOREST DUI LAWYER | FREE CONSULTATION
A DUI arrest in Lake Forest requires quick action. Call Richard Wagner, a knowledgeable and experienced DUI Defense Lawyer for drunk driving arrests in Lake Forest, at (714) 721-4423 to discuss your defense strategy confidentially.
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Lake Forest is a city in Orange County, California, and includes Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills. Lake Forest used to be known as El Toro.
Lake Forest is surrounded by Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Trabuco Canyon, and Silverado Canyon.
Oakley, Inc., Johnny Rockets, and Del Taco have headquarters in Lake Forest.
