Los Angeles Drunk Driving Lawyer
While attending Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Mr. Spindel found his calling in the field of criminal defense and focused his attention in this field as a clerk at the San Diego County Public Defenders office and a Judicial Extern in the Chambers of the Honorable Patricia Benke of the 4 th District Court of Appeal. In the Public Defenders Office, Mr. Spindel worked in all areas of criminal defense, including assisting in the trial defense of clients charged with murder and crimes under the 3-strikes law.
In order to provide the "best defense", I have educated and associated myself with the top organizations and experts specializing in the fields of drunk driving & criminal defense. I am a graduate from the National College for DUI Defense (Summer Session 2003), have attended national conventions of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and completed training and certification in the maintenance and operation of the DataMaster breath machine from the manufacturer (National Patent Analytic Systems, Mansfield, Ohio, January 2004). In order to better represent you, I have been certified in the training and administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and completed advanced training which allowed him to become one of the only certified Instructors, in Southern California (Student Course: Las Vegas Nevada, 2003 and Instructors Course: Nashville, Tennessee, 2004). Basically, I have received, the same, and in most cases more, training in the operation of breath testing devices and field sobriety tests than the officer that stopped and possibly arrested you in this case.
We provide full service drunk driving and criminal representation for clients from arrest and bail through trial in State, Federal and Appellate Courts, including all felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and traffic matters. Our office also provides successful representation before the Department of Motor Vehicles in administrative hearings regarding license restrictions and suspensions.
Our attorneys possess high academic credentials, maintain strong community ties, are committed to the pursuit of excellence, communicate effectively, and demonstrate the strictest personal and professional ethics as well as the utmost concern and personal attention for our clients.We utilize state-of-the-art technology and cost-effective methods to provide services in a timely, client-oriented manner and ethical, friendly, and professional environment. Our approach focuses on each client's background, needs, and goals, and we are committed to responding promptly to telephonecalls, to reporting on cases regularly, and to minimizing and eliminating risk by informing clients of significant changes in the law.Our dedication to quality, understanding of the law, trust, and respect are the foundation for our long-standing relationships with clients and the reason our clients consistently express their satisfaction.
A. If this is your first offense and you have not been arrested before, I know this is probably the first question, err, concern on your mind. As such, you should know that in most counties, jail is not required and only certain counties in California require jail or an alternative for first offense DUI. However, an experienced attorney may be able to keep you out of jail and resolve your case in a favorable manner.
Q. Why a lawyer who specializes in Driving Under the Influence Defense?
A. Just as lawyers specialize in certain areas of the law, certain lawyers have special expertise in extremely specialized areas, such as driving under the influence (DUI) defense. Because of the complex, technical, and scientific nature of drunk driving (DUI) cases, it is extremely important to have a lawyer who knows the very specific and detailed scientific and legal basis of the government's case better than they do!
Significantly, there are defenses available to almost every set of facts in a DUI case, depending upon the specific type of evidence in each case. The trick is knowing what to look for and how to use those facts in creating a defense to the allegation of driving under the influence.
Q. What will DMV do to my license?
A. Regardless of the outcome of your criminal case, the Department of Motor Vehicles will act independent of the court on the "Administrative Per Se" suspension of your privilege to drive. In order to obtain relief from the mandated DMV suspension, a hearing must be requested within 10 days of your arrest.
At this hearing, evidence can be presented to dispute the issues to be raisedand a properly trained attorney can fight to avoid suspension of your driving privilege.
Q. Should I agree to take a chemical test? What happens if I don't?
A. YES!!! California's Implied Consent Law requires all drivers to submit to a chemical test if the officer believes you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. The consequences of refusing to submit to a chemical test will result in a minimum one year suspension of your license and may cause greater penalties in the criminal case.
Further, the mere fact of refusal may be introduced as evidence during trial to establish "consciousness of guilt". Of course, the defense is free to offer other reasons for the refusal.
Thus, it is always required to submit to a chemical test and the decision, if any, is one of weighing the likelihood of a high blood-alcohol reading against the consequences for refusing.
Q. What is the worst case scenario if I am convicted of a first offense driving under the influence (DUI)? and is this realistic?
A. If you are convicted of a first offense DUI, the worst case will involve a fine of approximately $3,000.00, a maximum of six (6) months in jail and a 90 day alcohol/DUI program and a 4 month license suspension.
NO!!! Everyone I have ever spoken with asks for the worst case scenario. However, the worst case scenario is almost never what happens and I have never represented anyone on a first offense DUI who suffered anywhere near these consequences.
A "typical" first offense DUI can result in fines of approximately $1,500, three years of summary probation, a 90 day DUI/alcohol school, a 90 day license restriction from the court and a four month suspension of your license.
For a more detailed breakdown of the possible punishments associated with DUI convictions and subsequent convictions for DUI click here (SEND TO PUNISHMENT SECTION)
Visit: http://www.ladrunkdrivinglawyer.com
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