San Mateo DUI Attorney San Mateo DMV Hearing Lawyer

San Mateo County, Criminal DUI Court Proceedings

Typical Steps in a Criminal Proceeding

If you were arrested for a drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs in San Mateo County, CA, in the eyes of the law, you were "impaired" while operating a vehicle, and it is likely your blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) was higher than 0.08%. Being impaired while driving means, "…the inability to operate a motor vehicle with the caution, attention, and alertness that one would typically exercise if sober."

With the right to a jury trial and the right to have a drunk driving attorney represent you, these criminal charges will be faced in court. The following are typical steps in a criminal proceeding:

Offense: an arrest is made for DUI or DUID

Booking: record of name, offense, and other pertinent information such as contact information, mug shot, fingerprints

Arraignment: suspect appears in court and enters plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest); trial date is set

Bail: form of property pledged to a court to release suspect from jail, with the understanding suspect will return for trial

Detention: bail is refused and suspect kept in jail until trial

Preliminary Hearing: judge determines if suspect should be held for trial; Prosecution must provide sufficient evidence suspect committed a crime

Trial: opening arguments, witness testimony, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, instructing the jury, verdict rendered

Sentencing: if suspect pleads guilty or is found guilty by trial, hearing is set to determine penalties; mitigating and compounding factors submitted to judge and judgment is pronounced

Penalties: license suspension, fines, released subject to specific terms of probation, jail, alcohol classes, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, community service

Appeal: after conviction, determination if all law issues were properly conducted at trial

It is critical you retain a knowledgeable and experienced DUI defense lawyer to help guide you through the steps and find resolution to this matter. For a free consultation, contact the Law Office of Robert Tayac.

Home > San Mateo DUI > Criminal DUI Court Proceedings