San Francisco DUI Lawyers

One of the worst mistakes a driver arrested for DUI can make is to assume that he will get off with a slap on the wrist. In California, however, the penalties for driving under the influence are substantial. Not only will a driver arrested in San Francisco need an attorney, he will need an experienced lawyer who specializes in DUI cases and one who has been successful in achieving freedom or reduced charges for previous clients.

Basically, a drunk driving conviction will stay with the driver forever. He will not only be faced with huge fines, possible jail time, and a criminal record, he will also face a lifetime of outrageously expensive car insurance--if he is able to get his license back at all. Causing an accident, an accident with injuries, or an accidental fatality can result in several years in a state penitentiary.

Avoid the Pitfalls

Qualified, competent San Francisco DUI lawyers know state and county DUI laws inside and out and can ask the right questions regarding a DUI arrest and subsequent sobriety testing. The best San Francisco DUI lawyers will also have extensive knowledge of and experience in the various testing methods and their margins for error. For example, a Breathalyzer test can be off by as much as 15 percent.

Anyone researching San Francisco DUI lawyers should pay careful attention to an attorney's claims and should check out any comments from former clients. Questions to ask include how many cases the attorney has tried and what his or her success rate is. The attorney should be board certified and should never make any guarantees upfront about the outcome of a case.