* indicates a required field


Phone: e.g. 999-999-9999
- -
Message

Riverside DUI Lawyer Defending Southern California Clients

The State of California, along with each and every state in the country, has passed a number of tough laws aimed at curbing the number intoxicated drivers on the road. Very often, these laws lead to safer roads and driving conditions for law-abiding drivers.  However, it is important to note that the tests administered by police officers to detect alcohol and drugs in the system are fraught with inaccuracies. This is why it is extremely important, whether you are in San Diego, Escondido or elsewhere in Southern California contact DUI lawyer at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center immediately.

• DUI Defense Strategies
• Driving Defenses
• Probable Cause
• Why Seek Legal Representation from A DUI Lawyer?
• Contact a Southern California DUI Defense Attorney

DUI Defense Strategies

There are several approaches a San Diego or Riverside County DUI lawyer can employ to defend his or her client.  A skilled DUI attorney may help prove the client’s innocence, avoiding a dreaded DUI conviction. 

Driving Defenses

One major defense that an attorney may mount relates to what is known as driving defenses.  An arresting officer has the burden of proof in terms of demonstrating, without a shadow of a doubt, that the person suspected of driving under the influence was indeed the person who was operating the motor vehicle.  At times, a police officer may come upon a vehicle idling on the side of the road with a person inside who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of another substance.  However, the defense lawyer may argue that unless the police officer witnesses the individual driving the vehicle, the charge of driving under the influence cannot be held up in a court of law.

Probable Cause

Another defense approach taken by a good DUI lawyer may be that of challenging the police officers use, or lack of, probable cause.  Probable cause for pulling a driver over under suspicion of driving under the influence includes:

• Excessive braking
• Weaving
• Crossing into the other lane
• Appearing drunk
• Straddling the lane marker

Although many of these instances of probable cause appear to warrant the arresting officer’s decision to initiate a series of field sobriety tests, a DUI defense lawyer may argue that some factors that fall under the rubric of probable cause are not entirely admissible.  For example, probable cause also includes excessive braking, driving at speeds below ten miles per hour, and actions inconsistent with signal use, such as left or right turn signals or emergency flashers.  A DUI knowledgeable attorney may argue that these same attributes associated with probable cause can also be attributed to drivers who are unfamiliar with their surroundings or simply careless.

Why Seek Legal Representation from A DUI Lawyer?

There are many important reasons why the services of a DUI lawyer are vital to a successful case outcome. If you have been arrested in Riverside or another area of California, finding an expert DUI lawyer is in your best interest.  Although the laws passed in California, in addition to those in other states, are designed to protect the safety and well-being of others on the road, if a person is pulled over without probable cause and fails a field sobriety test due to extraneous factors resulting in false positive results, the outcome can be devastating on the driving and professional record of the accused.

Contact a Southern California DUI Defense Attorney

Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center offers new potential clients from San Diego, Riverside and beyond a free initial consultation of their DUI case. Contact a lawyer at our law offices throughout Southern California today to see how we can help you.

back to top

Types of DUI / DWI Cases

California DUI Laws

DUI Testing

DUI Consequences in California

DUI Defenses

Frequently Asked DUI Questions

Choosing a DUI Lawyer