Should You Fight DUI Charges in California or Plead Guilty?

After an arrest for any charge, there is always a critical decision that must be made. Do you plead guilty and accept the consequences, or do you take the chance and fight your charges? This is true for all criminal arrests, including DUI arrests.

It may seem like, in the grand scheme of things, concerning the types of criminal charges that one could face, a DUI arrest is not that big of a deal. After all, many people enjoy alcoholic beverages, and sometimes, mistakes are made. However, the implications of a conviction can be great and cause considerable problems for a person’s life. 

For instance, a conviction can turn a clean record into one that is now criminal. When applying for loans, jobs, or academic acceptance to a specific higher learning institution, that criminal record could make approval hard to get. A criminal record can make other people shy away from getting to know you, which will inhibit your ability to foster caring and meaningful relationships. Plus, a conviction can also come with expensive fines, time behind bars, and even an inability to drive if your license gets suspended. In short, a DUI conviction is nothing to take lightly.

If you have been arrested for a DUI in California, you need the most skilled and experienced legal counsel representing you and helping you overcome your charges. Contact the Orange County criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo today.

Comparing a Guilty Plea to a Not Guilty Plea for a DUI in California

When you are charged with a DUI in California, you may be wondering how to plead. In short, unless you are advised by an experienced attorney to do otherwise, you should NEVER plead guilty.

Why should you almost always plead not guilty? Because there are many defense strategies that may apply to your situation and that can cast doubt on the prosecution’s case against you.

For instance, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other substances and medical conditions that may be present, which can cause a false breathalyzer reading. Also, breathalyzers can be very unreliable in their results and even malfunction. So, initial readings are not always set in stone and fact. It is very possible to disprove them.

Blood tests to detect DUI are also fallible. Original test samples can be contaminated or render different results when retested. 

Finally, police officers may not have followed appropriate protocols during your DUI investigation and arrest. If law enforcement fails to stick to established procedures, then their evidence can be thrown out of the court, and it won’t be used against you.

These are just a sampling of the many ways to fight DUI charges, which is why pleading guilty is usually not recommended.

Speak to an Orange County DUI Defense Attorney Today

If you have been arrested for a DUI in California, please call our Orange County DUI defense attorney at The Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo at (714) 547-4636. We can help you fight your charges and secure the best possible outcome.