San Francisco Multiple DUI Arrests Defense Attorney

Lawyer for Repeat Drunk Driving Offenses in the Bay Area

The San Francisco County District Attorney's office prosecutes drunk driving charges aggressively. For repeat offenders, the penalties can be harsh. If you are charged with a second or more DUI offense in San Francisco, you need an experienced DUI defense attorney on your side who knows the most effective legal defenses and has strong negotiating skills in these matters.

Since 1985, Attorney Paul Burglin has successfully defended thousands of clients charged with multiple DUI offenses in San Francisco County and throughout northern California. Attorney Burglin co-authors California Drunk Driving Law, a two-volume legal guide with hundreds of unique decision-based drunk driving defenses and authoritative case interpretations that is commonly referenced by other attorneys when they defend DUI arrests. Attorney Burglin is one of only five lawyers in all of California who is Board-Certified by the National College of DUI Defense (as approved by the American Bar Association), and his depth of knowledge and proven track record make him the "go to" attorney for judges, prosecutors, and DMV hearing officers when one of their own family members or friends winds up in legal trouble for DUI.

Penalties for Multiple DUI Offenses in the Bay Area

A second or multiple drunk driving conviction within a 10-year period carries with it some tough penalties, including:

Second DUI Offense

• 96 hours to one year in San Francisco County jail;
• Up to a $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments;
• Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years;
• DUI school attendance for 18 months; and
• Three to five years of probation (normally five years and supervised).

Depending on the circumstances, you may also be ordered to perform community service work, attend AA or NA meetings, install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on all vehicles you own or operate, pay restitution and emergency response costs, and be subject to search and seizure of your person, home, office, and vehicle.

Third Offense

• Four months to one year in San Francisco County jail;
• Up to a $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments;
• Revocation of your driver's license for three years;
• DUI school attendance for 18 months;
• Designation as habitual traffic offender; and
• Three to five years of probation (normally five years and supervised).

Depending on the circumstances, you may also be ordered to perform community service work, attend AA or NA meetings, install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on all vehicles you own or operate, pay restitution and emergency response costs, and be subject to search and seizure of your person, home, office, and vehicle.

Fourth Offense

• May be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor;
• Minimum 180 days in the county jail and up to three years in state prison;
• Up to $10,000 in fines and penalty assessments;
• Revocation of your driver's license for up to four years;
• DUI school attendance for 18 months; and
• Three to five years of probation (normally five years and supervised if probation granted).

If there are aggravated circumstances in your case, such as an accident involving injury or death, the penalties for a multiple DUI conviction are enhanced.

Defending Multiple DUI Charges in San Francisco

Because of the severe penalties imposed on repeat drunk driving offenders, it is important to explore every potential legal avenue to avoid a conviction. There are often weaknesses in the case against you that can be used to obtain a dismissal or at the very least a reduction of charges. Your attorney will examine the totality of the circumstances and determine the most effective defense strategy.

Some potential legal defenses for your DUI charge may include:

• Lack of probable cause for the stop and subsequent DUI arrest;
• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on the rise and not above .08 at the time of the arrest;
• The field sobriety testing was unreliable or inaccurate;
• The chemical test was inaccurate due to instrument malfunction, mishandling by police, improper storage, poor training, or other possible reasons;
• Insufficient evidence of actual driving; or
• The act of driving was due to an emergency and there is a "legal necessity" defense.

Speak with a Skilled Bay Area Multiple DUI Offenses Lawyer

Some attorneys shy away from cases involving repeat drunk driving offenses, because they know the defendant will be treated more harshly by the court, and the legal hurdles are more challenging. If you are serious about mitigating your situation as much as possible, hire an attorney who understands the inner workings of the San Francisco County Superior Court and who has the legal training, experience, and negotiating skills to best defend you. Attorney Paul Burglin understands what you are facing, and he puts his extensive experience to work to provide the strong representation you deserve.

For a confidential and discreet consultation with attorney Burglin, contact us today at 415-735-3995. We serve clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding northern California communities.