Drivers under investigation for DUI / DWI typically take field sobriety tests before being arrested. Although many drivers hope they will avoid arrest by “passing” the tests, field sobriety tests exist only to justify an arrest and gather evidence for a court case.

There are two kinds of field sobriety tests: Standardized and Non-standardized. The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test is one of three field sobriety tests standardized and recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A skilled DUI / DWI attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm can successfully challenge the results of a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test or other field sobriety tests.

Horizontal gaze nystagmus is an involuntary jerking of the eyes as they move from side to side. The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test is based on the theory that the greater the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC), the sooner the eyes will begin jerking as they move from side to side.

The officer instructs the driver to follow a small object such as the tip of a pen using only the eyes. Police watch for uneven eye movement or sustained jerking when the eye reaches the furthest point. The officer also will make note if the eye begins jerking before it reaches a 45-degree angle.

Each of these three occurrences counts as a “clue” when observed in each eye. If the officer notes at least four of the six signs, he or she will conclude that there is a 77 percent chance that the driver’s BAC is greater than .10 percent, and the individual will be placed under arrest for drunk driving.

Although it is standardized by the NHTSA, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test is far from foolproof. Nystagmus, or involuntary jerking of the eye, occurs in every individual, regardless of whether he or she has been drinking. Alcohol and drugs may intensify the nystagmus effect, but so can many other factors, including injury or illness.

When an individual drinks alcohol, mental impairment always occurs before physical impairment. Physical impairment can be masked by those with a high tolerance for alcohol, but mental impairment cannot be hidden. Therefore, the mere presence of physical impairment such as involuntary eye jerking doesn’t mean the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Some officers don’t even administer the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test properly, and their conclusions may be inadmissible in court. The driver’s head and body must be facing the object, so if the officer conducted the test through the driver’s-side window, the results may be inadmissible because the driver’s head was turned at a 45-degree angle.

Luckily for accused drunk drivers, field sobriety tests don’t always hold up in court. The officer’s conclusions can be successfully rebutted during cross-examination. An experienced California DUI / DWI attorney can effectively challenge the results of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test and create reasonable doubt concerning the driver’s guilt.

Drivers arrested on suspicion of DUI / DWI in California are required by law to take a chemical test to measure blood alcohol content (BAC). Drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol are given a choice between a blood or a breath test. Drivers believed to be under the influence of drugs must take a blood or urine test.

Urine tests are considered the least reliable of the three types of chemical tests available. Fortunately, urine tests can be effectively challenged in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases. The experienced defense lawyers at The Kavinoky Law Firm know the inherent flaws in urine tests and will use that knowledge to craft an aggressive defense strategy.

Urine tests are typically implemented only when a motorist is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. However, urine tests may be given in drunk driving cases when breath or blood tests are not available.

California law dictates that if a urine test is given, the individual must be provided enough privacy to maintain dignity while still ensuring the accuracy of the sample. When the urine test is requested, drivers are advised to empty their bladders, wait 20 minutes, and then go again.

Urine tests have strict protocols but are prone to human error. Police and technicians routinely fail to follow the required procedures, making test results unreliable.

Urine testing is the least reliable method of testing for blood alcohol content. Because the test involves water rather than blood, the result is usually inflated. The concentration of alcohol in the urine is approximately 1.33 times the concentration of alcohol in the blood at the same time.

Urine tests are equally unreliable in DUID cases, because it’s impossible to determine when a drug was used. They can only detect metabolites, or inactive leftover traces of a drug. For example, a driver who smoked marijuana on a Friday night could test positive the following Tuesday, long after the drug has ceased to have any effect. Obviously, what a driver did on Friday has nothing to do with his or her fitness to drive on Tuesday.

The flaws inherent in urine testing for drugs have been scientifically documented. A study performed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse found that 20 percent of the labs surveyed mistakenly reported the presence of illegal drugs in drug-free urine samples.

Urinalysis also tends to confuse similar chemical compounds. For example, codeine and non-narcotic cough syrup have been known to produce positive results for heroin. By the same token, Advil has produced false positives for marijuana, and Nyquil for amphetamines.

Urine testing is extremely unreliable in both drunk driving and DUID cases, so it’s possible to effectively challenge the test results. A California lawyer with experience defending DUID and DUI / DWI cases can attack the integrity of urine tests and other types of chemical testing, and can effectively fight a drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs charge.

California’s driving under the influence of marijuana cases are basically investigated and prosecuted like any other driving under the influence cases in this state. Once an officer detains a suspect, he or she focuses on several types of circumstantial evidence that he or she uses to arrest or release the driver. Although there are some differences between a “drunk driving” investigation and a DUI investigation that involves drugs, the similarities are substantial and include an observation about the driver’s driving pattern, his or her physical signs and symptoms and his or her performance on the field sobriety tests. Because of the ways in which these types of cases are routinely prosecuted, an individual accused of driving under the influence of marijuana needs an attorney who knows what to expect so that he or she can anticipate the appropriate defenses that will most likely result in a favorable outcome for the accused.

Testimony about the accused individual’s driving pattern is often one of the first types of evidence that the judge and jury will hear. The prosecutor typically has the arresting officer testify about all of the ways that he or she believed that the driver drove improperly or unsafely due to his or her drug impairment. With respect to impairment, it should be noted that one will be declared “under the influence” of marijuana if, as a result of the drug, the driver’s nervous system, brain or muscles were impaired (to an appreciable degree) in that he or she no longer had the ability to drive a car in the manner that an ordinarily prudent and cautious person, in full possession of his or her faculties and using reasonable care, would have under similar circumstances.

Physical signs and symptoms of impairment are also heavily relied on by the arresting officer and prosecutor. The officer will testify that the driver displayed “the signs and symptoms that are characteristic of an impaired person”. An example of these, as they pertain to marijuana use, may include red eyes, a foul odor emanating from the driver’s breath, limited attention span and poor physical coordination.

Field sobriety test or “FST” performance is usually what the arresting officer ultimately bases his or her opinion on when he or she determines that the driver is guilty of driving under the influence. It is also the point during the trial where the prosecutor has the arresting officer spend the most time trying to convince the judge and jury that the defendant is guilty of the charged offense. An experienced D.U.I. criminal attorney expects that the arresting officer will go into detail about each and every thing that the accused did wrong while performing these tests and will commonly rebut the evidence by asking the officer to also detail everything that the driver did correctly.

Chemical tests are one of the main differences between an alcohol-related DUI and a marijuana-related DUI. When arrested for “drunk driving” in California, the accused has a choice between taking a blood or breath test. When arrested for DUID (driving under the influence of drugs), the accused has a choice between a blood or urine test. If the test comes back positive for marijuana use, the prosecutor will be sure to tell the judge and jury that the presence of marijuana confirmed the officer’s opinion that the driver was impaired at the time of driving. A skilled defense lawyer knows that this is an incorrect statement and will ensure that the judge and jury understand that a test indicating use is not the same as a test indicating impairment.

The outstanding attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm know the most convincing arguments to challenge this type of evidence and have successfully defended countless clients against this charge. To learn more, contact one of their exceptionally qualified attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

Alcohol Education Programs in Kern County, California

In California, there are several levels of Alcohol Education Programs that are offered. In order to enroll in one of the programs, one must be referred, either by the court or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

BEWARE: Completing an alcohol program may not satisfy the DMV. That is just one reason why it is critical that you consult with a California criminal defense lawyer that concentrates on DUI defense.

Driving Under the Influence programs in Kern County, California:

S.T.E.P.S.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
3533 Mount Vernon Avenue,
Bakersfield, California 93306
Phone: 661-871-3353

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
324 Oak Street,
Suite A,
Bakersfield, California 93304
Phone: 661-832-3283; Fax: 661-322-7906

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
525 Bear Mountain Boulevard,
Arvin, California 93203
Phone: 661-832-3283; Fax: 661-322-7906

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
623 Main Street,
Delano, California 93215
Phone: 661-322-8862

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
511 Central Valley Hwy.,
Shafter, California 93263
Phone: 661-832-3283; Fax: 661-322-7906

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
210 East Center Street,
Taft College Westec, Taft, California 93268
Phone: 661-832-3283; Fax: 661-322-7906

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
443 West Church Street,
Ridgecrest, California 93555
Phone: 760-371-9412; Fax: 760-384-4969

Traffic and Alcohol Awareness School of Kern, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
15666 K Street,
Mojave, California 93501
Phone: 760-371-9412; Fax: 760-384-4969

» Return to Driving Under the Influence program in California, directory of service providers

Note: This list is provided for convenience and informational purposes only. We do not recommend or endorse any specific Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program.

Alcohol Education Programs in Plumas County, California

In California, there are several levels of Alcohol Education Programs that are offered. In order to enroll in one of the programs, one must be referred, either by the court or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

BEWARE: Completing an alcohol program may not satisfy the DMV. That is just one reason why it is critical that you consult with a California criminal defense lawyer that concentrates on DUI defense.

Driving Under the Influence programs in Plumas County, California:

Plumas County DDP
(Service Provided: Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
711 East Main Street,
Quincy, California 95971
Phone: 530-283-6316; Fax: 530-283-4420

» Return to Driving Under the Influence program in California, directory of service providers

Note: This list is provided for convenience and informational purposes only. We do not recommend or endorse any specific Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program.

Alcohol Education Programs in Solano County, California

In California, there are several levels of Alcohol Education Programs that are offered. In order to enroll in one of the programs, one must be referred, either by the court or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

BEWARE: Completing an alcohol program may not satisfy the DMV. That is just one reason why it is critical that you consult with a California criminal defense lawyer that concentrates on DUI defense.

Driving Under the Influence programs in Solano County, California:

A. K. Bean, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
623 Great Jones Street,
Fairfield, California 94533
Phone: 707-429-8888; Fax: 707-429-1809

A. K. Bean, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
2100 Sacramento Street,
Vallejo, California 94590
Phone: 707-642-8947; Fax: 707-642-8949

A. K. Bean, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
3000 Alamo Street,
Suite 209,
Vacaville, California 95687
Phone: 707-451-9703; Fax: 707-446-0471

Healthy Partnerships, Inc.
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
1286 Callen Street,
Vacaville, California 95688
Phone: 707-447-8982; Fax: 707-447-3205

Healthy Partnerships
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
1735 Enterprise Drive,
Building 1, Suite 105-A,
Fairfield, California 94533
Phone: 707-425-1799; Fax: 707-425-1081

Ia’Tik Recovery Center
(Service Provided: First Offender, 18 Month)
604 Broadway Street,
Vallejo, California 94590
Phone: 707-558-0104; Fax: 707-558-8047

» Return to Driving Under the Influence program in California, directory of service providers

Note: This list is provided for convenience and informational purposes only. We do not recommend or endorse any specific Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program.

The Interstate Driver’s License Compact

The Interstate Driver’s License Compact serves the purpose of allowing different state DMVs to communicate. Therefore, if a person is visiting California and is arrested for drunk driving, the home state of the driver will find out about the arrest. This may affect the driver’s insurance as well as driving record in his or her home state.

Being arrested for DUI / DWI in California can be stressful, especially if one is from out-of-state. While you may have feelings of distress or anger following your arrest, do not waste any time in locating a qualified California DUI / DWI attorney. Wasting time will likely result in a suspension of your driver’s license by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which in turn will provide that information to your state’s DMV. If you or someone you know has been charged with a drunk driving offense you may need to find that person who remains in custody, and you will need to locate a bail bondsman too.

It is not always simple locating a friend or loved one who is in custody without the right information. When attempting to locate someone it is helpful to have the individual’s full name and birthdate as well as a booking number related to the arrest.

The state of California may not suspend the home state license of a driver. The best the Department of Motor Vehicles can do is to suspend the driver’s driving privileges in California. A person with an out-of-state driver’s license can fight the California suspension at a DMV hearing. The best way to challenge the DMV is to hire a California criminal defense attorney with vast experience in DUI / DWI cases.

The Interstate Driver’s License Compact is signed by 45 states. These states have a reciprocal arrangement regarding information related to certain convictions such as diving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Each state that is party to the Compact may suspend, restrict, or revoke the state license belonging to the driver. The five states that do not belong to the Compact are Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Some states like California have administrative systems that handle DUI / DWI cases through a DMV hearing or something similar. Other states do not have such systems. Rather, these states wait until a person has been convicted of a DUI / DWI in criminal court. Once the conviction is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles by the courts, the DMV will consider administrative action against the license. If you are in any state, it is wise to consult with the best attorney available in that state.

Punishments between states vary. Some states will simply enforce the same punishment that was given in another state. Others will give lighter sentences, while some other states will simply ignore some convictions.

The best possible way for drivers with out-of-state licenses to keep their driving privileges after a California DUI / DWI arrest is to challenge the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A California criminal defense attorney with vast experience in DUI / DWI cases can provide information about the all states’ licensing policies and successfully challenge these administrative hearings.

Superior Court Of California, County of Kings

If you have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs in the state of California, it is important to know the location of the courthouse where your arraignment will be held. If there are multiple courthouses in the county, please contact a skilled California DUI / DWI defense attorney for more information.

Kings County Superior Court
Hanford Courthouse
1426 South Drive, Hanford, CA 93230

Avenal Superior Court
Avenal Downtown Courthouse
501 E. Kings Street, Avenal, CA 93204

Corcoran Superior Court
Corcoran Downtown Courthouse
1000 Chittenden Avenue, Corcoran, CA 93212

Lemoore Superior Court
Lemoore Downtown Courthouse
449 C Street, Lemoore, CA 93245

» Kings County Superior Court of California website.

Getting arrested on suspicion of DUI / DWI can be a frightening experience. Suspected drunk drivers face a legal labyrinth that can seem daunting. A drunk driving case generates two separate cases – in criminal court, and at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A California attorney with experience defending drinking and driving cases can help drivers navigate through both the DMV hearing and the court case.

» Return to California Superior Courts, general information

Superior Court Of California, County of Santa Barbara

If you have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs in the state of California, it is important to know the location of the courthouse where your arraignment will be held. If there are multiple courthouses in the county, please contact a skilled California DUI / DWI defense attorney for more information.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court
Anacapa Division
1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107

Santa Barbara County Superior Court
North County Administration – Miller Division
312 East Cook Street, Building E, Santa Maria, CA 93454-5165

Figueroa Division
118 E. Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Santa Barbara Juvenile Court
4500 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Santa Barbara Juvenile Court
4500 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

» Santa Barbara County Superior Court of California website.

Getting arrested on suspicion of DUI / DWI can be a frightening experience. Suspected drunk drivers face a legal labyrinth that can seem daunting. A drunk driving case generates two separate cases – in criminal court, and at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A California attorney with experience defending drinking and driving cases can help drivers navigate through both the DMV hearing and the court case.

» Return to California Superior Courts, general information

Getting arrested on suspicion of DUI can be a frightening experience. Suspected drunk drivers face a legal labyrinth that can seem daunting. A drunk driving case generates two separate cases – in court, and at the DMV. The knowledgeable DUI / defense lawyers at the Kavinoky Law Firm can help drivers navigate through both the DMV hearing and the court case.

The first stage in any DUI  court process is the arrest. Most arrests for a misdemeanor driving under the influence case occur when police observe signs of intoxication in the driver’s physical appearance and/ or erratic driving patterns. These observations form the basis of “probable cause,” which is the legal basis for the arrest.

Once arrested, a driver may be held in custody and must post bond to be released, unless released on his or her own recognizance, or OR. Bond, otherwise known as bail, is like an insurance policy guaranteeing the driver’s appearance at the next court date. The amount of bail is determined by a judge, based on the seriousness of the offense.

If held in custody, then a driver must be arraigned within 48 to 72 hours after the arrest, unless it occurs on a weekend, in which case it can be extended for one day. If the driver is not held in custody, the arraignment will be set at a later date.

At the arraignment, the judge will advise a driver of the pending charges, and the individual will be read his or her rights. The rights afforded to criminal defendants include the right to an attorney, the right to a jury trial, the right to confront witnesses, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to receive evidence to be used against the individual in the criminal proceeding. Also, at this time, a driver will be asked to enter a plea before the court. Possible pleas include not guilty, nolo contendere – commonly known as no contest – or guilty.

The next step in the court process is to submit pretrial motions. Pretrial motions may be submitted at the arraignment, but it is also customary for the pretrial motions to be heard at a later hearing date. Common pretrial motions include a motion to suppress evidence, discovery motions, motions to dismiss, and other motions in limine.

At some point during this process, a prosecutor may offer the driver a plea bargain, which gives the defendant an opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Sometimes taking a plea bargain is a good idea, sometimes it’s not. An experienced DUI lawyer can evaluate an individual case to determine whether a plea bargain is a good deal.

The final stage of the court process is the trial. Once a trial date is set, it is usually expressed as a “0 of 10 date” meaning that the DUI defendant’s speedy trial rights will not be violated if the trial begins on the trial date, or within 10 days of that date. If the trial does not begin on or before the expiration of the last day for trial, the case must be dismissed. If the last day for trial falls on a weekend day or holiday, the next court day is the last day.

Once the trial begins, both the defense attorney and prosecutor participate in selecting a jury. During this process, they engage in voir dire, or the examination of prospective jurors, to determine the juror’s qualifications for service. At this time jurors may be excused “for cause” or at the discretion of the attorneys, which is known as a peremptory challenge. Once the jury is chosen, the trial begins.

DUI trials usually last several days. At the trial, both the defense and the prosecution give opening statements, directly examine their own witnesses, cross examine the opposing witnesses, and finally give closing arguments. The judge then gives the jury instructions on how to apply the facts of the case to the law.

The next step is jury deliberation. The jurors are excused to the jury room, where they are given their first opportunity to discuss the facts of the case. When the jury concludes deliberation, they announce their verdict to the court – guilty or not guilty. Although the jury decides on a verdict, it does not determine the defendant’s sentence. The judge decides the appropriate punishment, which can be set by law, and may be enhanced by the facts of the case.

Although our justice system is designed to protect both the defendant and the public, the defendant needs someone looking after his or her best interests. A California attorney who focuses on defending DUI cases can ensure that anyone accused of drunk driving receives the fairest treatment possible in the court system.