San Diego DUI Lawyer

Drinking and driving has become one of society's central concerns in recent years, and that focus has led to an upswing in the number of arrests for DUI in San Diego and everywhere else. Being arrested and charged with a DUI is a serious matter, and if this has happened to you or someone you love, you need to take immediate action, as there is only a certain amount of time available for you to assert a defense. Failing to do so will almost always result in a negative result.

Below is a brief look at the two aspects of every DUI that must be handled, and these descriptions should also alert you to the fact that if you've been charged with DUI, you need to contact a San Diego DUI lawyer at Kerry Steigerwalt & Associates immediately to schedule an initial consultation.

The DUI Administrative Process:

The most overlooked aspect of every DUI is the administrative hearing process that occurs with the California Department of Motor Vehicles after every DUI arrest, assuming that the defendant takes the proactive step of requesting such a hearing. Generally, a defendant has 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing with the DMV, and if that hearing is not requested, the defendant's driving privileges will be suspended.

This should prompt an immediate response from everyone who has been arrested for DUI to contact a San Diego DUI attorney immediately, as the clock starts ticking' as soon as your booking procedure is complete. The DMV hearing will center on whether or not you will be able to retain your driving privilege, and it must be treated with the proper focus.

The Legal Process for a DUI case in San Diego County:

The process involved with the California DMV is completely separate from the prosecution of your case that takes place at the courthouse. However, since you only have a certain amount of time to request and prepare for your hearing with the DMV, you and your San Diego DUI attorney will most likely begin to prepare for both your hearing and your criminal proceeding at the same time, as you need to assert your defense within both aspects of your situation.

An experienced San Diego DUI attorney at Kerry Steigerwalt & Associates will be able to help you understand, based on the facts of your situation, whether or not fighting your charges all the way through trial is an advisable strategy, and if it is, you can expect your attorney to fight for your rights relentlessly.

Generally, being charged with DUI in San Diego is no small matter, and the first thing you need to remember is that if you've been caught in such a situation, you need to act immediately to protect your interests. Contact a San Diego DUI attorney at Kerry Steigerwalt & Associates today to get the process of protecting and asserting your rights started.