If you were arrested for DUI in Orange County, (or anywhere for that matter), you probably have a lot of questions, such as:

• What Do I Do Now?
• What Are the Penalties?
• Will I Lose My License? If So, For How Long?
• Should I Hire a Lawyer? If So, What Kind of Lawyer?
• If I Hire a DUI Lawyer, Which DUI Lawyer Should I Choose?
• How Much Will a DUI Lawyer Cost?
• Do I Have Any Defenses?

WHAT DO I DO NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR DUI?

The first thing you have to do is do your homework - and fast - because the first thing you need to have done is the scheduling of your DMV APS Hearing and you only have ten (10) calendar days to request your DMV APS Hearing. Click the link to learn "What You Must Do Now!" to learn more.

If you fail to request a hearing within ten (10) calendar days from the date of the Orange County DUI arrest, you will lose your driver's license privileges after the passage of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the DUI arrest.

If you intend to hire an Orange County DUI Lawyer, it is advisable that you hire an attorney within the ten (10) calendar day period so as to allow the Orange County DUI Attorney to request the hearing.

The second thing to remember is that the DMV APS Hearing is separate from the court case. Do not confuse the arraignment date with a DMV APS Hearing date, as they are not the same. The DUI arraignment date is set by the arresting agency when you are released from custody. The DMV APS Hearing date requires the setting of an actual hearing. REMEMBER: YOU ONLY HAVE 10 DAYS TO REQUEST A HEARING TO SAVE YOUR LICENSE!

Click to learn more about California DMV APS Hearings 

The third thing to remember is that prior to the arraignment, there is evidence that needs to be obtained and reviewed to determine what defenses exist to your Orange County DUI charge. This is why it is so important to hire a DUI Lawyer, not just any type of lawyer. The evidence is critical to your ability to defend yourself and why it is so important to have this evidence reviewed by a lawyer who is trained in how to defend against a DUI charge, let alone an Orange County DUI charge.

The fourth thing to remember is that subsequent to the arraignment, and prior to trial, there are negotiations that take place between the Orange County DUI Defense Attorney and the Orange County District Attorney's Office; yet another reason to hire only an experienced, and well-trained, DUI Defense Lawyer.

The fifth thing to remember is that if the case does not settle prior to the trial date, the matter will proceed to a trial. In the event your matter proceeds to trial, you need to be sure that you hired the Best Orange County DUI Defense Lawyer you can find to defend you against the Orange County DUI charges. Don't settle for anything but one of the "Top-Rated" DUI Defense firms in Orange County.

DO I HAVE ANY DEFENSES TO MY ORANGE COUNTY DUI CHARGE?

There are numerous defenses to a DUI, most notably is the rising blood alcohol defense. Remember, it is not illegal to drink and drive. It is only illegal to drink and then drive if you were (1) above a 0.08% or greater at the time of driving, not at the time of the chemical test, and/or (2) you were impaired at the time of driving. If you were not either, then you are not guilty of DUI.

There are defenses that are unique to women. There are defenses that apply to anyone with certain disabilities, illnesses or even the flu or a common cold. Only a true DUI Defense Attorney can review the evidence in your case to determine if any legal and/or factual defenses exist in your DUI case.

Click to learn more about DUI Defenses

WHICH ORANGE COUNTY DUI LAWYER DO I CHOOSE?

The question of which DUI Lawyer you choose becomes easier to answer when you know what you are looking for in the DUI attorneys you are considering. The DUI lawyer you are consider should be able to easily demonstrate his or her in-depth understanding of the law and the science behind the defense of DUI. If he or she cannot do this in an understandable and simplistic manner, how can you expect that lawyer to be able to explain those complicated issues to a jury and/or a judge in the event the matter were to proceed to a motion and/or trial? 

Only hire a DUI Attorney who has the credentials to adequately defend you. The DUI lawyer should be a member or member of organizations that focus their organizations on the defense of DUI, such as the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and the California DUI Lawyers Association.

Click to learn more about Choosing an Orange County DUI Lawyer 

Click to learn more about the Orange County's "Top-Rated" DUI Lawyers

Click to learn about Why You Should Hire Us?

It should not be too surprising to know that defending against a DUI charge may be costly. Some DUI Lawyers advertise low fees, but beware of the fact that many of these types of lawyers charge this amount of money only if you plead at the first court appearance, or the arraignment. You can do that yourself for free.

Some of these lawyers will also charge you per appearance, starting out at this low-fee rate then suddenly climbing much higher than the "teaser rate" that was advertised. In the end, one may question whether one can really trust these types of lawyers to be qualified enough to review your case, analyze the evidence, and determine whether any legal and/or factual defenses exist that would result in a dismissal or a reduction of the charges.
 
Those lawyers who truly "specialize" in DUI defense are qualified to review your case, to analyze the evidence, and to determine whether any legal and/or factual defenses exist that would result in a dismissal or a reduction of the charges. You are making an investment in protecting your rights and defending your case.

The consultation is free. All you have to lose is some time to discuss a matter that has had an impact on your life and you have questions that need answering.